Iron bandwagon still rolling...

Scunthorpe were always going to lose at some point, Laws men – as he himself is happy to admit – are not an Arsenal, they were never going to go a whole season unbeaten. In fact, most supporters are probably surprised how long the Iron’s unbeaten run did last!

However, it is not the fact that United lost on Saturday, which is a concern for Laws’ men but the manner in which they did it.

A fortnight ago, the Iron rolled into Darlington, in good form, in confident mood and as the League two leaders. Laws was able to name an unchanged side from that which had won 2-0 at home against Northampton the week before and the stage seemed set for the Iron bandwagon to steam roll over Darlington in their own back yard.

It didn’t quite work out like that though. The Iron for once looked fragile at the back and their strong chassis came under pressure on more than one occasion.

Taylor, once the crowd favourite because of his silky skills, lightning pace and plethora of passion once again looked a shadow of the player, which won the hearts of the Iron masses towards the end of last season and the beginning of this.

His confidence shattered, his skills subdued, the Iron’s number 15 again looked as though he was stuck in second gear against Chester and United’s tyres were deflating further.

Laws must ask himself why this was the case and why he again named an unchanged side against Chester, despite a relatively poor performance against Darlington.

The Iron boss for once had options.

Rangers’ starlet Tom Brighton could have started rather than the out of sorts Cleveland Taylor.

Moreover, young Andy Parton – currently earning rave reviews in the reserves – could surely have played instead of Andy Keogh, who after looking tired at Darlington had played yet another 90 minutes for the Eire U19’s in Cork just 48 hours before he took to the field again at Glanford Park on Saturday.

The wheels haven’t fallen off the Iron’s bandwagon yet though, nor is it all doom and gloom down at Glanford Park.

The Iron are still placed second in the league with the likes of Peter ‘Pan’ Beagrie, Kevin Sharp and Steve Torpey close to a return.

Laws must now look to shake his team before their trip to Bury this weekend where their promotion credentials will be vigorously road tested.

Up The Iron!