Dean: We have to try and kick on

Scunthorpe United boss Jimmy Dean believes the Iron must use Saturday’s 4-1 win over Wealdstone as a springboard, as we bid to retain our status in the National League this season.

Goals from Cameron Wilson (two), Will Smith and Jake Leake ensured victory at Glanford Park on Grassroots Day, with over 700 extra supporters in attendance thanks to the initiative.

With eight games to go until the end of the 2022/23 campaign, the United boss shared his delight following the full-time whistle in North Lincolnshire.

"[We] deserved it," Dean began, speaking to Iron Player post-match. "We took [our] chance today and that was the difference between today and Tuesday. There were some real good performances, some good progression and I am happy."

"It was a deflection as well and those are little fine lines," the 40-year-old told of the first goal. "I still maintain that if we had gone ahead and Chappy [Aaron Chapman] bless him, if that hadn’t happened on Tuesday, we win that game. 

"We are a good side and every game we have played, from play-off sides down to Maidstone, we have been the better team. That’s nine games, three wins and it’s not terrible, it’s been difficult having had a lot of new players, players coming in, players already in the building. 

"Me personally, I think you can see what we want and what is going to happen. I think the players are more reactive and we are adjusting quicker when teams change what they are doing against us. I think we are in good nick."

Showing some superb attacking phases of play, as well as being defensively sound to repel against any Wealdstone advances, Dean praised one man in particular who he felt played a huge part in our triumph.

"[We played] some great football," he added. "Attacking wise, Richie Bennett was outstanding to go and help how we want to play. I want us to play that way with a focal point and secure the ball and play off him. 

"I thought both wingers were sensational, full-backs aggressive with and without the ball, centre-backs solids and in midfield, I thought we were a little bit loose first half and I did say that we kept playing down the same way. 

"We need to switch the play and get those wingers in, second half we were superb and I thought we dominated the ball and dominated the first and second ball as well."

Beginning to see signs of just how he wants the Iron to play under his tenure, the former Peterborough Sports boss was adamant that a squad performing well as a whole must always remain a priority.

"It's a team effort and the team always comes first," Dean said. "It was the same Tuesday and it was gutting, it was a hard one to take Tuesday because the performance levels were good and they were as good as they have been since I have been here.

"They looked like a team in my mould and they looked like a team how I wanted them to play. I think you have seen that again today and they are eighth in the league."

Paying homage to our extra batch of supporters thanks to Grassroots Day at Glanford Park this afternoon, Dean hopes much more can be done to welcome the next batch of supporters through the gates.

"I went to them first to thank them first, I call it the kop end but they were as noisy as that," Dean said. 

"It was fantastic to see so many kids come and show their enthusiasm for the football club. Some of them might play for us one day, that’s how important it is as it might kick start them. I hope they have had a good day and if they come again I hope they encourage the chairman to do it again because it’s fantastic. 

"You have it all around the ground and all you see is Scunthorpe. I know there was the away fans in their little corner and I thought that was perfect."