Pugh: The boys put in a massive shift

Midfielder Tom Pugh reflected on a positive week for the Iron, with four points taken in the space of four days.

The 21-year old is relishing his return to league action which has seen him start the last three games, including a respectable manner of defeat against the league leaders, before taking a point on the road at Barrow. This period culminated in three points at home to Crawley at the weekend.

Reflecting on that 2-1 victory at the weekend, he told iFollow Iron: “The boys put in a massive shift. From the Barrow game, I think we’ve got together as a team and knocked on, and we needed those three points.

“Like we said at Barrow, we need to build on it. We’ve got the three points against Crawley which is important, but we need to carry on and build on it. We dug deep in the last 10-15 minutes when they came at us, but we ended up getting the three points that we deserved.

“If someone had said going into the last two games that we’d come away with four points, we’d have been happy, and that’s what we’ve done.”

The Iron took the lead in a league match for the second time this week, but Pugh alluded to the second goal at the weekend, stating it was vital, especially considering the late equaliser the side conceded at the Dunes Hotel Stadium in midweek.

The Welsh Under-21s international also reiterated the side’s need to build on the performance and result.

“100 per cent (it was important to get a second), and I thought it was a class goal,” he continued.

“Myles (Hippolyte) did some great work, with a couple of step-overs, slid Scrimmy (Jake Scrimshaw) in and he finished it off well.

“We go onto the next game, keep building on it, and hopefully start climbing the table.”

Deployed in midfield for many of his minutes so far in this campaign, Pugh is enjoying his role in the heart of Scunthorpe’s team, often putting his foot in to retrieve possession or putting his body on the line.

“I’m enjoying it. Especially at home, with the fans behind us, screaming and shouting. There’s no better feeling,” he stated. 

“I’ve come back into the team and it’s been great to contribute to us picking up points.

“Every day I’ve got to prove myself. In training, on and off the pitch, and especially in the games, I’ve got to prove myself. As long as I give 110 per cent every day, that’s all that matters.

“We’ve got a week to prepare for Colchester away this week, so we’ll do that, then go down there and try to do the same again to come away with something there.”

See much more from Tom Pugh, Jake Scrimshaw and Neil Cox on iFollow Iron.