Akpo Sodje is geared up for a relegation battle with Scunthorpe United
AKPO Sodje today insisted he is primed for a relegation battle after linking up with Scunthorpe United until the end of the campaign.
The well-travelled striker took part in his first training session with the Iron this morning and afterwards revealed that he had turned down the chance to join clubs mugh higher up the League One ladder in favour of being reunited with his former manager Brian Laws at Glanford Park.
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Akpo Sodje is unconcerned by the Iron's lowly league position as he prepares to make his debut during Saturday's game at Colchester United. Picture: Carl Gac.
"Scunthorpe's league position didn't enter my mind," Sodje, who spent two seasons under Laws fighting against relegation from the Championship with Sheffield Wednesday, told the Telegraph.
"But we have to prove we don't deserve to be down there.
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"I had a few other teams interested - ones at the top of the table, ones in mid-table - but sometimes it's not about where the team is, it's about the size of the club and the manager that is there.
"At the same time, it's also about where the club is going and I think this club is going somewhere, definitely.
"This is a massive chance for me to enjoy my football.
"Today was my first training session and I was made welcome by the players, which is the start you want. I'll give my best, 100 per cent – as I do for every manager and club.
"Every game from now until the end of the season is a big one for us. The priority for this club is to stay up.
"Starting from Saturday (when the Iron travel to Colchester, the side directly above them in the table), the next game is always as big as any game that is going to come."
Sodje has not played first-team football for a month, when he quit Preston North End in a bid to secure a longer contract elsewhere.
But having netted seven times in 17 appearances for the Lilywhites, he arrives at the Iron in decent form.
While he might not prove to be the answer to Scunthorpe's goalscoring problems, Laws is confident his first permanent signing since taking charge of the club for a third time will bring the best out of those around him.
"You can't turn round and say he's the answer to everything, but he's another part of the jigsaw we're trying to build," said Laws of Sodje.
"He's one of those pieces that are important, almost like those corner bits! Without them, you can't finish it off!
"He's that type of player where you need his calibre and you need his type in your team.
"If it's not him scoring, he can at least support and help somebody else to. He'll take pressure off others around him.
"Let's hope everything falls in place for him."
Comments
by Dmented
Wednesday, January 09 2013, 12:35AM
“Well done BL, you are doing all the right things, even with old super meanie behind you.”
by Oldironfan
Tuesday, January 08 2013, 7:22PM
“In this league, a big target man with a bit of skill and pace can make all the difference. Hopefully he will chip in with goals but holding the ball up front has been a problem for us of late and I am looking forward to seeing a big improvement in this aspect of our game.
If it comes off, I can see us turning the corner.”