With the end of the 2023/24 season fast approaching, Scunthorpe United know that they will be competing in the playoffs as they look to return back to the National League at the first time of asking.
While it would have been disappointing to have been relegated from the fifth tier in the last campaign after finishing 23rd, and their second successive relegation, the Irons appear to finally have turned a corner and have given their passionate fanbase something to cheer about.
They are second in the standings, and with the sole automatic promotion spot available from the National League North taken by Tamworth, Scunthorpe have done enough to seal a place in the playoffs.
A couple of games are still required to be played to determine who they could end up facing, with Brackley Town the only other team to have sealed qualification. The likes of Chorley and Alfreton Town appear to be likely to join them bar disasters in their own seasons, while South Shields and Curzon Ashton are only three points ahead of Chester, Boston United, and Spennymoor Town, and a further two points above Hereford (66 points).
Will Scunthorpe United be able to secure promotion?
Football can be a very funny game and one that isn’t played on paper. If it were, there would be many who would be looking to place a bet on the safest betting sites available here, as the team’s performances have been nothing short of remarkable.
As mentioned, it has been a positive campaign and one that everyone associated with the club can be proud of, especially following the last few years of hardship that has been experienced at Glanford Park.
The Irons – to this point – have managed to win 24 games, lose 10, and draw the other 10 that have been played, thus making them a challenging prospect. They have been lethal in front of goal, having scored 77 times, which is the most in the league after 44 games. Danny Whitehall has been the main man in this regard, having netted 19 in the National League North. It’s a fine return, given that it is his debut campaign with the club after joining from Eastleigh. Only South Sheilds’ Paul Blackett has scored more than him, leading the charts with 29 for the season.
In addition to having the sharpest attacks in the league, they also have one of the meanest defenses. The club has only conceded a total of 36 goals in their 44 games played thus far, with Tamworth (27), Chester (34), and Brackley Town (35) the only teams to have conceded fewer.
Therefore, with these figures in mind, it’s very easy to see why they are considered a promotion contender and why they remain one of the favourites to go up.
Where could Scunthorpe United slip up?
Scunthorpe’s away form could be a potential area of concern for The Irons when they play in the playoffs, as they have been a little patchy. Of course, football is known for teams making their home a fortress, but points do need to be picked up away and this is perhaps where the team has struggled.
Of the 22 games played away (one remaining against Gloucester City), Scunny have only managed 9 wins on the road this season. That said, they did also manage to achieve six draws, meaning seven defeats have been incurred. Of the 10 total experienced, only three of those have been witnessed at home, with just four draws having been witnessed at home, too.
The home aspect of a playoff game shouldn’t come as a problem, but a trip to another ground might just cause an issue. With the National League North playoff final to be played at Wembley Stadium, their trip to London might be something worth thinking about if they qualify for it as many expect them to.