Scunthorpe United manager Andy Butler has expressed confidence in his squad’s preparation as they gear up for a top of the table clash against Chester this weekend.
The Iron, who have enjoyed a solid start to the season with just one league loss, are hoping to return to winning ways against a promotion rival after faltering in recent weeks.
Intensive Training Period
In his press conference, Butler revealed that the team has undergone an intensive two-week training period, which he described as “preseason 2.0.”
“We’ve had some tough sessions, and the players have adapted really well,” Butler said. “The focus has been on high-intensity drills and refining the finer details of our play.”
Behind Closed Doors Match
As part of their preparations, Scunthorpe played a behind-closed-doors friendly against League Two side Doncaster Rovers last week, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Butler praised his team’s performance as Danny Whitehall notched a late equaliser against a strong Rovers outfit.
“The shape was very good, and we worked on a lot of things in that game,” he said. “These types of matches are invaluable, especially for players who need more game time.”
Chester Challenge
Looking ahead to the Chester clash, Butler acknowledged his team face a tough challenge. The Seals, who sit just three points behind the Iron, took four points from Scunthorpe last season including a draw in a pulsating 2-2 encounter at the Attis Arena.
“Chester are a good side with a capable manager,” Butler stated. “They play with high intensity, and we know it’s going to be a tough task. But we’ve analysed their strengths and weaknesses, and we know where we can hurt them.”
On the injury front, Butler confirmed Carlton Ubaezuonu would miss out having suffered another set back in his recovery.
“Everyone else is fit and ready to go,” Butler assured. “We’re in good shape for the busy schedule ahead.”
The Chester match marks the beginning of a congested period for Scunthorpe, with five games scheduled over the next two weeks.
“It’s a good task for the squad, and we’re looking to push on,” he stated. “We’re not the finished article yet, but we’re continuously improving.”
