League One newcomers Scunthorpe United are the next team we look at ahead of the season opener on Saturday.
LAST SEASON
The Iron spent just one season in League Two after being relegated from League One the season before but the season didn`t start off as well as they had hoped.
They won the season opener against Mansfield Town but then failed to win any of their next five fixtures. It wasn`t until the victory at Southend in mid-September did things start to change.
However, a run of five matches without a win including an FA Cup defeat to non-League Grimsby Town, saw the Iron replace manager Brian Laws with Russ Wilcox. Despite being five points off the automatic promotion places the club felt “it was in the best interest of Scunthorpe United for now and its long-term future” and that certainly turned out to be the case as they really pushed on finishing in second place in League Two.
Striker Sam Winnall finished League Two’s top scorer with 23 goals in all competitions and was only signed at the start of the season on a free transfer from Wolves.
THE MANAGER – RUSS WILCOX
When Russ Wilcox took over as caretaker manager following the dismissal of Brian Laws, little did he know that he would become the permanent manager and go on to win automatic promotion.
Wilcox did have a short spell as Iron caretaker manager in 2004 but after taking over from Laws, his side lost just one competitive match.
The 50-year-old began his career with Frickley Athletic but got his big break in 1986 with Northampton Town. He made over 130 appearances for the Cobblers in four years.
He moved on to Hull City, Doncaster Rovers and Preston North End before finishing his career at Scunthorpe.
VISITING THE GROUND?
The Iron have been at Glanford Park since 1988. Prior to that, they had played their games at the Old Show Ground.
Glanford Park has a capacity of just under 10,000 and their record attendance was just over 9,500 against Manchester United in 2010.
Away fans are housed in the South Stand at one end. This is all seated and can house 1,650 supporters. If demand requires, extra seats can be made available in the south corner of the West Stand.
Posh head to Glanford Park on Easter Friday [3rd April, 2015].
Post Code for SAT NAV: DN15 8TD
Distance from London Road: 96.8 miles
SUMMER BUSINESS SO FAR
Scunny released eight players following their promotion to League One. Strikers Paul Hayes and Connor Jennings, defender Christian Ribeiro, midfielders Etienne Esajas, Michael Collins, and Andy Welsh have all left the club. Youngsters Jamie Wootton and George Grayson make up the eight after being told they will not be receiving new contracts.
Paul Hayes has since signed for Wycombe Wanderers.
The club have offered new deals to Sean McAllister, David Mirfin, Niall Canavan, Deon Burton, Terry Hawkridge, Gary McSheffrey, Eddie Nolan, Andy Dawson, James Severn, Luke Waterfall, Matt Godden, Callum Howe and Curtis Bateson.
Hawkridge, Canavan, McAllister, Nolan, Burton, Dawson and McSheffrey have so far accepted the new deals.
The first two new players signed by the Iron were Jennison Myrie-Williams from Port Vale and Neal Bishop from Blackpool. Both have signed on a two-year contract.
Striker Lyle Taylor has signed a two-year contract after an undisclosed fee was agreed with League One rivals Sheffield United. Taylor will be looking to fill the boots of Sam Winnall after the Iron`s top scorer last season signed for Barnsley.
The defence has been bolstered by Miles Addison who will arrive on an initial one-month loan from Championship side Bournemouth on 8th August while Miguel Llera has signed a 12-month deal, with the option of a further year. The 34-year-old Spaniard was available on a free transfer after being released by Sheffield Wednesday.
THEY PLAYED FOR BOTH
Posh have two players in their ranks that have also played for Scunthorpe. Striker Nicky Ajose spent an unsuccessful loan spell there in 2011 playing 7 games without finding the back of the net. The other player is Grant McCann who arrived at Posh after leaving the Iron. McCann played over 100 games for the Iron scoring nearly 20 goals.
Other players to have played for both clubs include football agent Bobby Barnes and Martin Carruthers.
PAST MEETINGS
There have been 52 competitive matches played between these two sides. Four of these matches came in the League Cup which has resulted in two draws and one win a piece.
In the League, Scunny have the edge with 20 wins compared to 15 wins for Posh. There have been 13 draws.
The last time these two sides met in League action came in the 2009/10 season when both sides had resounding wins.
Posh won the London Road match 3-0 thanks to goals from Craig Mackail-Smith and a brace from George Boyd. The return fixture ended 4-0 to the home side. The Itron were 3-0 up by half-time!
WHAT THE BOOKIES THINK
Scunthorpe are outsiders for the League One title at 33/1 and 10/1 to get promoted.
They are 9/2 to finish in the top six and 5/1 to be relegated so it all points to a season of stability in League One if the odds are anything to go by.
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UP THE POSH
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Photo courtesy of www.theposhpics.com
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