Dean talks after Notts County away

First team manager Jimmy Dean spoke to Iron Player after his side's 4-0 loss at Notts County on Saturday.

Two early goals made it an uphill challenge for United against the title-chasers, who added two further strikes midway through the second half.

He said: "It was really difficult. They were fantastic, weren't they, while we were very poor. There was a big gap.

"We didn't lay a glove on them, although you have to compliment how good they are at what they do. The thing I'm not happy about is how we did when we got the ball. We've worked so hard off the ball to get it back but when we got it, we couldn't keep it.

"Defending isn't just about defending the box. You don't have to defend if you've got the ball, and we didn't keep it very well today at all.

"I'm glad it's over to be honest."

The loan signing of Coventry City goalkeeper Tom Billson was announced in the run-up to the match, which was a move that came about following injury to Iron No 1 Aaron Chapman.

Dean added: "Chappers is out for the rest of the season, with a slipped disk, which is an injury he picked up against Wealdstone last week. It's a real shame because it looked like he was just starting to find the rhythm that regular games give him.

"I thought Tom did well for the best part of today. It was a difficult one for him to come into. I thought his handling and shot-stopping was good, and he couldn't really do anything for the goals."

Next up for the Iron is a trip to York City on Tuesday night, and Dean is pleased the game will come around quickly.

He said: "It's all about that. We knew today was going to be difficult and the worst case coming out of this would be that we're seven points away, we're five points, which is better than it could have been. Now we're playing teams in and around us, and that's going to define the season for us.

"I still think we can and will win games, but the question is will we win enough? There's an opportunity there, and we have to dust ourselves down and really go for it now."

1,750 supporters made the trip to support United at Meadow Lane, and Dean was full of admiration for the following from North Lincolnshire.

He said: "It's amazing support and I can't pay them any bigger compliment than that really. You could hear them all the way through the game, and we must make sure we pay them back over these next seven games. We need four or five wins and I believe we can do it."

See more from Jimmy Dean and Finley Shrimpton on Iron Player.