Jimmy Dean updates on Reagan Ogle and previews Gloucester clash

United boss Jimmy Dean is looking forward to returning to Glanford Park following two games on the road in which his side picked up four points.

Having delivered the almost perfect performance on Tuesday night at Banbury United, the only blemish was the early injury to full-back Reagan Ogle, who is set for a spell on the sidelines.

Speaking on the Aussie’s injury, Dean said: “It’s not a break, it’s ligaments, from the outset looking at it. We do need to get an MRI scan done on him in the next couple of days. Hopefully, that’s going to tell us that it’s just ligaments, which will then mean we’re looking at four-to-six weeks.

“We just need to get that confirmed by the scan before I can say too much more. It’s certainly not a break, which is good news.”

The Iron welcome 23rd-placed Gloucester City to North Lincolnshire on Saturday, but Dean insists his side must maintain their high standards, and not get complacent.

“They’ve had a bit of a struggle so far this season,” he added. 

“They’ve changed managers. It’s a game that’s really got to be about us. We’ve got to be front-footed, aggressive with and without the ball. We’ve got a game plan and we’ve looked at where we think we can hurt them. Ball speed is a big one - we’ve got to move it quickly, and know the right times to move it quickly. It’s all stuff we’ve been really good at in recent weeks. We need to stay patient. No one is going to come here and roll even. Most teams come here and initially raise their game. It’s up to us to try and knock that out of them.

“After coming out of what the club has been through, to fight back, and to get the momentum back after the Chester game, now is not the time to give that away. Now is the time to capitalise on this bit of form we’ve had. We have to push the right buttons, and be on the front foot.”

It’s evident that the players are enjoying playing at home in front of inflated crowds so far this season. The performances have continued to thrive, and it’s something all associated with the club want to continue.

“The fans deserve a side that’s front-footed and aggressive,” he continued. 

“At home, we want to be winning more games than we don’t, and at the moment, we’re providing that. We just need to work hard to keep doing it.

“We talk a lot about the environment, and the bubble we wanted to create here. We recruited good people and good characters in the summer, and I made sure of it. I think that’s what has got us through what we’ve just been through. It was a hard place to be, but they stuck together.

“I feel that environment that I talked about when I came through the door, it’s coming now. I feel a real positive place where people want to play their football. The fans seem really connected to the players, the staff seem connected to the players, and the staff seem connected to the fans. It’s been a lot harder than I envisioned, for numerous reasons, but I feel like it’s coming together now. It bodes well for wins and positive performances.”

With an update on Ogle already explained, Dean also gave an update on players on the periphery of returning to action, and talked about Richie Bennett and Tom Pugh joining Southport and Hereford on loan, respectively.

“Danny Elliott is probably going to be too sore to be involved,” he stated. 

“Alfie Beestin has had his second injection now. All he’s got to do now is go back to see the specialist, and hopefully that will be concluded. Cal Roberts came through on Tuesday. We’ve got to keep blending him in with his minutes, and it’s going to be a bit of a process, but it’s a process worth going through, because when we get the boy firing, he’s going to really help us.

“For different reasons. Richie does need games, but it’s also to balance the books a little bit, and Richie does understand that. Tom Pugh has been at me for a couple of weeks, because he wants to play, which I fully respect. By all accounts, he did really well on Tuesday for Hereford. He’s a good player, but has just been unfortunate that it hasn’t fallen for him here, but we’ve got some really good midfielders here this season. I said to Tom, he’s got to go and get himself in a position, and when that opportunity comes, he’s ready to take it, which you’re not going to be if you’ve not played since last season.

The manager concluded on the offers the club have put on for this weekend’s game, and urges everyone to support the club this weekend if they’re able to do so.

“There are fantastic initiatives on this weekend, especially Danny (Stamp, the Smoking Goat),” he said. 

“He’s put his money where his mouth is and he’s trying to boost the gate, trying to get people that haven’t been connected with the club, connected. Hopefully, they come down, and come back again. To buy 1,000 tickets, and give them to the people that need it, needs applauding.

“You factor in the Remembrance Day factor, and it can become quite emotional. I think it’s important that everyone remembers that too.”