Following back-to-back weekends on the road, Gary Johnson’s men return to Plainmoor for the first of a double-header as Scunthorpe come to town on Saturday.
Gary Johnson’s men will be looking return to winning ways when Scunthorpe United come to Plainmoor on Saturday, as The Iron currently share the same points tally as the men in yellow.
Who’s the Boss?
Interim boss Tony Daws has been at the Club as Academy Manager since 2005, and has taken the caretaker and joint caretaker roles on three previous occasions. After a successful playing career, Daws went on to enjoy coaching roles at youth level for the likes of Sheffield United, and Sheffield Wednesday, before arriving at Glanford Park in 2005.
During his playing career, Tony spent 6 seasons at Scunthorpe which saw him etch himself in the history books, entering himself into the top ten all-time Scunthorpe goalscorers.
How have they been doing?
After winning 2-1 against Yeovil at the Sands Venue Stadium on the opening day of the season, a poor run of form followed, with The Iron tallying 6 defeats in a row. However they have since picked up form, and are undefeated in their last three after draws against Altrincham and York, before the side came from behind to run out 3-2 winners at Dorking last weekend.
In terms of the league table, the North Lincolnshire side currently reside in 21st place on 8 points, the same as United, the goal-difference chart sees them sit above United in the current league standings.
Player to Watch
With five goals in ten outings, Joe Nuttall is The Iron’s leading marksman, making the most of his opportunities in front of goal, despite his struggles in the main.
The Bury-born frontman initially began his career north of the border with Aberdeen, before heading south to make his name in England with Blackburn and Blackpool. After arriving at Glanford Park in January this year for an undisclosed fee, his form may not have been enough to save Scunthorpe’s EFL status, however the Club’s supporters will be hoping it’ll play a part in helping reclaim those Football League glories sooner rather than later.
Played for Both
Former Gull Ian Morris represented both sides during a thirteen year professional career that began at Elland Road with Leeds United, and ended four years ago with Bohemians in Ireland.
After failing to make the grade at Leeds, a loan spell at Blackpool precede a five-year stay with tomorrow’s opponents, where he chalked up 7 goals in 76 league appearances. Two separate – and successful – stints at Chesterfield paved the way for a move to the English Riviera in the summer of 2011, with the midfielder playing a large part in helping Martin Ling’s side qualify for the League Two play-offs in 2011/12 before departing for Northampton in 2013.
Previous Encounter
Torquay United 1 – 0 Scunthorpe United, 24th February 2004, League Two
The Gulls’ recent record against The Iron is easiest to draw inspiration from, however Leroy Rosenior’s side got the better of them at Plainmoor during the 2003/04 campaign, when a goal from ever-popular former Gulls trainee Matt Hockley was enough to separate the two sides, with the only goal of the game delighting the majority of the 2,561 fans in attendance on a chilly Tuesday evening, with those three points later proving crucial as Torquay promotion on goal difference from Huddersfield Town on the final day of the season.
Vanarama National League | Torquay United v Scunthorpe United | Date: 01/10/22 | K.O: 3pm