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| Image source: Damon Campion/ Scunthorpe United |
The season is only two weeks old, but two games in and two points on the board, and with a trip to Riverside in the second round of the league cup on the horizon, the season’s start hasn’t been totally devoid of promise for the Iron.
What we – as Iron fans – have made clear, is that we do not like three centre halves on the pitch with two wing backs. This was the formation used for the first league game against AFC Wimbledon, and half of the league cup tie against Notts County, before Alexander swallowed his pride and reverted to the traditional 4-4-2.
Two draws from the opening two league games – and looking back at those games a point a piece was probably fair – both teams could say they could have stolen all three points.
Unlike last season we are yet to really impose ourselves on the season in terms of going forward. We seem to be reserved when making an attacking move, so hopefully this weekend against Oxford United at Glanford Park we really let the shackles off and attack.
There are rumours of players in and out still flying around, but we have to work on what we have, and that is a very strong group of players.
Firstly, Matt Gilks looks very competent and vocal and has kept us in both games with crucial late saves.
Josh Morris? Where to start… It appears the golden boy of last season has lost his way, and for me, this Saturday should lose his place to Duane Holmes, who has been in fine form when coming off the bench.
The reception Tom Hopper received when coming on as a second half substitute at The Crown Oil Arena says it all from the fans point of view.
There was loads of cheers, and the singing of his name, and surely that’s food for thought. In my opinion, he is the best striker we have in terms of holding the ball.
Finally, he deserves his own little piece, and that is the little Belgian wonder that we seem to have found from the depths of Holland in Funso Ojo.
It’s as if he has played in this side all his life. Nothing phases him, and he does the simple things right.
In the games so far – particularly the first half against Wimbledon and the Second half against Rochdale – he ran the show.
Being alongside a player like Neal Bishop, who has seen every blade of grass in the football league, really compliments him.
It won’t be long before we see Ojo finding the net from range on evidence so far. What an acquisition this could prove to be come may.
Overall, I’m satisfied with the start, but we need to start putting three points on the board week-in-week-out, hopefully starting against Oxford.
Holmes in for Morris, Hopper in for Kevin Van Veen, and I think the goals and that final third could click in to life, but let’s see come Saturday.
Take care Iron fans. #UTI
Any Old Iron 