Kian Scales: Performance levels have been high

Midfielder Kian Scales feels the Iron have come a long way in build-up to the side’s opening league game of the season which is now just over a week ago.

With 11 new bodies to get to know each other and gel, the 21-year-old reflected on the last five weeks and is pleased with the progress made ahead of the big kick-off.

Speaking ahead of the final home pre-season friendly against Burton Albion, he said: “Throughout pre-season, we have built on performances from each game. From the very first game at Brigg, to Hull and Doncaster this week, we’ve come a long way.

“We’ve built as a team. We look really good off the ball and I think if we can add a bit more quality on the ball and bring it all together, we’ll be really good to go for the first game of the season come August 5th.”

Scales played full games right from the start of pre-season, first playing 83 minutes at Brigg in the curtailed fixture before backing that up with another full game in a couple of positions at Winterton.

“I felt fit going into it and I felt good,” he continued. 

“You always want to get as minutes in as you can, so it was a challenge I looked forward to and I think I did well in. It was really good for me, because I want to play 90 minutes and I think I can do that. To do it from the first game, and show that I can, is a good thing.

“Everyone wants to play, so to have had the most minutes is something I’m really happy with and it gives me that opportunity to show what I can do out on the pitch. I want to keep building on that.”

Scales has also notched one goal in pre-season, which coincided with United’s change of shape, allowing the former Bradford City player to advance further forward.

“Since we’ve changed formation, it’s allowed me to get a bit further forward and link up off Danny up front,” he added. 

“I got a goal at Ilkeston, and it has benefitted me. It is a position I really like playing.”

The last two home games have yielded draws against EFL opposition, with the latest against Championship side Hull City. Performance levels are high, and the urge is to carry these forward into the season.

“The gaffer, Plums (Chris Plummer) and Butts (Andy Butler) have all said performance levels have been good,” he stated. 

“Especially, in the Doncaster game, I think we deserved to win and I don’t think anyone could argue that. The Hull game, in the first half, I thought we were miles the better team. In the second half, it did change a little bit, but we stuck in there and it would have been easy to fold when they equalised, but we stuck in there to get the draw. It’s only pre-season, but we will need performances like that in the season, so it was pleasing.

“Everyone is pushing for that starting XI. Everyone has had minutes and everyone has put in good performances. I’m sure that the gaffer will be happy that he’s got that decision he’s got to make. He has big decisions to make because everyone is pushing, and it will probably change game-by-game.”