With Glanford Park frozen over, Scunthorpe’s weekend match against Portsmouth was postponed a day before kick off in an act of generosity never usually afforded to the Iron by match officials.
While Pompey fans will no doubt have been delighted they didn’t have to travel the 500-mile round trip in deep snow, there must also be relief from Iron supporters that we didn’t have to play last Saturday.
Last weekend witnessed a great victory over Colchester but covered up inconsistencies in the team; it was our first victory in five games and second since 10 November when we outplayed Coventry.
Since that clash at the Ricoh, Brian Laws has not exactly inspired much form in the boys and, although we are now at least off the bottom of the table, there is still much work to be done this winter if we are to defy fans placing a bet on football, and stay in League One.
Some fans will argue that our 2-1 win over Colchester could spur us on to better things and, with Pompey struggling themselves, this was the perfect opportunity to nick three more points in the scrap for survival.
However, thinking for the long term, this postponement may do wonders for our season, for a good week’s rest after the busy festive period is just what Laws’ boys need right now.
We saw in that goalless draw at Glanford Park against Shrewsbury that the Christmas calendar was getting the better of us and we had to defend well against Colchester to earn that win last weekend.
This postponement gives the players chance to rest, recuperate, and think about the upcoming spring. Ahead is a far more relaxed schedule and, after a week off, Laws’ men should travel to Carlisle with great confidence they can lift us out of this rut, regardless of what betting news pundits may think of our chances.
Any Old Iron 