Hard as Iron

HOT PROPERTY . . . Gary Hooper has proved himself to be one of the top marksmen in League on this season.

Scunthorpe will provide stern test for Athletic

JOHN Sheridan’s admiration of tonight’s opponents Scunthorpe United will end at half past seven when Athletic kick off their top-of-the-table clash at Glandford Park.

The Athletic manager describes The Iron as one of the best teams in Coca-Cola League One, even though his side inflicted a 3-0 defeat on Nigel Adkins’ outfit in October.

“I like the way they play the game which is at a good tempo. They are one of the better teams in our division,” said Sheridan.

Sheridan rates the home win against Scunthorpe – in which Lewis Alessandra scored all three goals – as Athletic’s best display of the season.

“It was an excellent performance and we could have scored six or seven goals that night.”

The Athletic boss was impressed with Scunthorpe when he saw them defeat Rotherham last week in the northern area final of the Johnstone’s Paints Trophy.

And he rates 21-year-old striker Gary Hooper, who is The Iron’s 16-goal top scorer, as one of the best players in League One this season.

Hooper was captured by Southend United from non-league Grays Athletic at the age of 18.

He failed to make an impact at Roots Hall, scoring only four times in 44 first-team appearances, though he found the net 11 times in 19 matches for Hereford during a three-month loan late last season.

Scunthorpe were prepared to splash out £175,000 for Hooper in the summer and he has repaid them with interest.

And with Paul Hayes having bagged 14 goals, Scunthorpe boast one of the most prolific front pairings in League One.

Sam Togwell, Grant McCann and Martyn Woolford also weigh in with goals from midfield.

Scunthorpe have scored in all 18 league and cup matches at Glanford Park this season.

The last time they failed to find the net on their home patch was 26 games ago when Cardiff City won 1-0 on February 12, 2008.

“With Hooper and Hayes, Scunthorpe are one of the best teams in the division attacking-wise,” said Sheridan. “We will have to be tight at the back.”

While Scunthorpe are a threat going forward, it is an altogether different story at the back where their frailties have been exposed, most recently in a 3-2 defeat at bottom-club Crewe.

As Athletic have their own formidable front duo of Lee Hughes and Dean Windass, Sheridan will be looking to cash in on those defensive weaknesses.