COMPARE expectations among Scunthorpe United fans from the end of last season to the start of this, and, for some, they are polar opposites.

The summer interval has been fraught with negatives for Iron supporters, with little headway being made in the transfer market – Jordan Robertson, Jimmy Ryan and Andy Barcham apart – and a set of pre-season displays best described as indifferent.

Although it may not apply to United followers, for the playing staff, all of that will be forgotten come 3pm tomorrow, when Scunthorpe get their League One campaign underway at Adams Park against Wycombe Wanderers.

Pose the question 'what are Scunthorpe United's aims for this season?' and the response, from Sam Togwell anyway, is surprisingly bullish.

"We expect to be in the top six and fighting for promotion towards the end of the season," declared the combative midfielder.

Part of the squad that bounced back from Championship relegation at the first attempt last time around, the 26-year-old has the experience and knows just what is required to achieve those lofty ambitions.

And what he is sure of is that promotion, obviously, is not won during pre-season.

"The main idea is to get into the first game of the season and gain a good result," continued the former Barnsley star.

"It is important to put in good results (in pre-season) so you can get momentum going into the season, but it is not the be all and end all.

"I know we lost heavily on Saturday – it disappointed the fans and ourselves.

"So we have got to put that right and make sure it never happens again.

"Pre-season has been inconsistent in terms of performances but that is the aim.

"I have been in pre-seasons before where you win every game and then you go into the first game and you lose.

"I think only the fans are a bit uneasy.

"As players, we believe we are fit and can turn on good performances, which we have done in some games – like Rotherham for instance.

"We need to get that consistency where we are doing it week in, week out."

After a results pattern that yielded four wins from seven matches – albeit mostly against non-league opposition – the build-up to competitive action has been something of a struggle for the Iron.

But for Togwell, it only reinforces his belief that the current squad are indeed good enough to deliver another crack at the second tier.

"I base that expectation on the group of players," added Togwell of the top-six prediction.

"Ninety per cent of them have played at this level before. Seeing them working in training, I believe we are good enough to get promoted.

"It's going to be tough and it is going to be a rollercoaster ride.

"Don't get me wrong, there are going to be days when some things just don't happen and you get a 0-0 draw and you do everything but score.

"But fans are going to have to be patient and the players will need to be too."

The first test for United arrives tomorrow, in the shape of newly promoted Wycombe.

It is an obstacle described as 'tricky' by Togwell, but one the Iron should be looking to overcome.

"They are on a roll from getting promoted last season so they are going to be on a high, their fans will be buzzing and the atmosphere should be good," he continued.

"During the first games of the season both teams are rusty.

"Nine times out of 10 it is 30-odd degrees, the adrenalin is pumping and it doesn't matter what you do in training and pre-season, you will still be tired.

"Hopefully we won't be too tired and we can come away with a win.

"There is no reason why we can't go down there, put in a good performance and do that.

"People expect us to still be on a downer from getting relegated, but we want to prove people wrong.

"We have got a lot of doubters and we want to make sure we prove people wrong and get back to where the players think we should be, in the Championship."

Now in his fourth year with the club, Togwell is expected to adorn the captain's armband in Buckinghamshire.

After four games as skipper during pre-season, it will be little surprise to many, and something the man himself will relish.

"I have done it for the last couple of years, I enjoy doing it," said Togwell of being captain.

"Obviously the managers at the time have seen something in me to be a leader.

"I am one of the more experienced players in the group and have played something like 250 games in my career.

"There are more experienced players in there – I am learning from them about leading, about what to say at the right times and performances on the pitch.

"I have not had the official nod yet but I have worn the armband for the last four games so we will see."

The 'wait and see' philosophy may also apply to the team as a whole. Tomorrow will certainly provide an indicator as to whether they will be able to deliver on Togwell's prediction.