Tough test against Huddersfield is perfect pre-season finale
SCUNTHORPE United will face a rigorous test of their Championship credentials from one of League One's strongest sides tomorrow.
That is the view of the Iron's ever-reliable centre-back David Mirfin ahead of facing his former club Huddersfield Town at Glanford Park (3pm).
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FORMER TERRIER: Iron defender David Mirfin. Picture: Carl Gac.
Mirfin played more than 150 games for the Terriers before joining United for £150,000 two years ago.
Things have changed dramatically at the Galpharm Stadium since the 25-year-old left the club though.
Former Newcastle star Lee Clark is manager of the Yorkshire club and has had plenty of money to spend by League One standards.
So Mirfin sees the club who gave him his break as a professional as the perfect late pre-season test to ensure the Iron are ready for their opening day clash at Reading seven days later.
"I think they have got to be one of the favourites to go up in League One this year with the money they've spent, the wage bill they've got," he declared.
"But although they've got a big wage bill, they've got good players, and I think they'll be disappointed if they don't get out of that league again this year.
"I think it's probably a Championship wage bill that they have got there and most of their players are probably Championship players as well to be honest.
"It's changed massively investment, player and manager-wise since I was there and Huddersfield will be desperately hoping to get out of the league they are in.
"But I think leaving there was probably the best thing I could have done.
"The last two years here at Scunthorpe have been the best of my career, individually and as a team for achieving things."
Mirfin is looking forward to renewing a few old acquaintances tomorrow.
"I don't think there's many players left there who I played with so they'll be a bit new to me," he confessed.
"But there's still plenty of people at the club that I know though so I'm definitely looking forward to it."
United are now focusing on the first game of the new Championship season at Reading a week tomorrow.
"Obviously you are pleased once pre-season is out of the way and you can concentrate on the league and trying to win games to get as high up the table as we can," he continued.
Last Saturday the Iron beat Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 at Glanford Park but they then slipped to a defeat by the same scoreline at York in midweek.
Mirfin played the second 45 minutes of that game at Bootham Crescent and readily admits the performance there wasn't the best.
But he feels the result of that defeat might just turn out to be a positive one for the Iron.
"The performance was really disappointing," he confessed. "But sometimes a performance like that is good in pre-season, so that you can identify things that you need to work on.
"Then the problems can be sorted out but I think fitness is the main thing at this early stage of the season.
"The management know what we need to work on and we are all building on those things to be ready for Reading away.
"Although it wasn't a great performance last week (against Wednesday) and there wasn't much brilliant football, I think we showed glimpses of good things.
"The fact that we looked solid against a decent team, I think gives us a good foundation to build on."
23 Comments
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by CJ, leeds
Tuesday, August 03 2010, 3:47AM
“P. doff. You should be a Leeds fan.You'd pay twice as much and suffer the signings they have this summer. Now they have something to complain about. 6Million + Hooper fee? Dream on you fat middle aged Iron hater. If your not a supporter don't bother. Toddle off up the road to follow the mariners, you'll fit right in. 1500club=muppet. Did we win the other day? Shows what you know FFS.”
by P.Doff, Blindsville
Saturday, July 31 2010, 12:13PM
“CJ - it is exactly for the reason I PAY to watch the team play that I have the right to be critical when the money I PAY is not spent or it is spent unwisely.
We are a 25% weaker team than last season and for that reason alone I fear the worst, expect the worst and will not be disappointed.
No REAL Iron fan can be full of confidence going into this season because we have failed to STRENGTHEN or replace with an equal quality.
We have a loanee for a PRIMARY position, a captain on autoselection despite his well highlighted failings last season, our best player was allowed to leave and all our chairman is doing is building up a war chest to throw some seats in the standy up end.
We have Hoopers money PLUS £6m this season yet loan a LB. Back to League One, back where we belong.”
by 1500club, Railway embankment
Saturday, July 31 2010, 10:02AM
“Dont include me in your lazy assumptions about £15-£20 tickets - the last time I paid to get in, Perry Cotton wasn't knocking them in!
Grow sme hair around your nackers and form an opinion on the club you bang on about 'loving' eh - I reckon we'll stop up this season and I reckon we wont win today and we'll get mashed at Reading, so what?
Up the Iron!”
by P.Doff, Brainsville
Saturday, July 31 2010, 8:34AM
“According to P.Doff Byrne is hot headed and will be sent off FACT - but that does not stop him being chosen (not my choice) as first choice RB
Hayes did want to stay here, he and his family were settled in Goxhill, I know that for a FACT but was made a derisory offer / short contract which forced him out FACT.
P.Doff for most of last season was criticising Williams FACT - resorting yo lies are we !! - I have never criticised Williams.
Get your FACTS right Brain before you spout on. PS Brian Clough is 78 today.”
by CJ, Leeds
Saturday, July 31 2010, 7:57AM
“Wow. You lot are serious doom mongers. All this stuff was said this time last year and got worse after cardiff away. Yes we have lost good players but that's what we do, it's what we've always done. Pre-season results and performances count for nothing and that's the only FACT on this board. I think a 4-5-1 away from home could save us a lot of goals this term and if we make GP our fortress again we can do it. 1500club, P Doff etc are you the guys who pay £15-20 to constantly moan for 90 mins about tactics, team selection and how generally bad we are? You guys help with the lack of atmosphere we have at home.
Sing up, Cheer up and up the Iron. Rant over.”
by 1500club, Lincs
Friday, July 30 2010, 10:33PM
“On a more positive note - in Thompson and Dagnell we do have goals. Thompson looked class over a period, last season - and scored a few too. With the quality of choice we have in midfield - Togwell, Wright, O'Connor, Collins, Wright and Woolford we can afford to let Thompson 'replace' Hooper.
Who partner's GaryThompson should be question.
Up the Iron!”
by Brian, Apple orchards
Friday, July 30 2010, 8:42PM
“P.Doff
Hayes wanted to stay - FACT, Byrne will always be first choice RB - FACT,
McNulty could not hold a candle against Williams - FACT
Hayes wanted to move to a bgger club who would offer him a substantial signing on fee and a better salary FACT
According to P.Doff Byrne is hot headed and will be sent off FACT
P.Doff for most of last season was criticising Williams FACT
P.Doff remains a wager welcher from his predictions last season that didn't materialise FACT”
by Brian, Moonshine River
Friday, July 30 2010, 7:49PM
“Bad Apples slowly rotting!
UTI!!!”
by P.Doff, Nowtsville
Friday, July 30 2010, 7:30PM
“Brain rambles on as if he is the knowledge of all that is Scunthorpe United.
He knows nowt - yesterday thinking Ron Ashman still plays 18 holes at Normanby.
Hayes wanted to stay - FACT, Byrne will always be first choice RB - FACT, McNulty could not hold a candle against Williams - FACT
Our negative goal difference will increase by 20% this season because of losing Williams, Sticking with Byrne, giving Jones a second chance and thinking Grant, Forte and Dagnall can replace Hayes and Hooper.
Get praying Brain because you need some sort of divine intervention if your perspective bears any fruit.”
by 1500club, The Imperial, Cleethorpes RD
Friday, July 30 2010, 7:08PM
“Maccan was free to leave, Williams was ready to leave but Hayse wanted to stay!
There is a SOLEROS HOPE IN HELL, of Nolan displacing Byrne and you wont find anyone begrudging Hooper his move, or United cashing in.
What is wrong - is not re-investing in the ground or squad with these influxes and I fail to see the 'negativity' in saying so....remaining 'positive' (or 'negative' for that matter is as pointless as FISHING FOR THE MOON IN THE POND...one step away from LUNACY if you believe a state of mind will have any effect on the team!
Up the Iron!”