Scunthorpe have made a fine start to their return to League One level, with Brian Laws' side currently lying fifth in the table. Before the start of the season a host of football pundits had the Iron on their shortlist for a swift return to the football league basement. But, if the first few months of the campaign are anything to go by, the Glanford Park faithful can look forward to a promotion challenge rather than a relegation dogfight. Givemefootball's Mark Shail caught up with former Hull defender Richard Hinds ahead of this weekend's trip to Swindon.
Q:HAVE YOU BEEN SURPRISED BY THE CLUB'S START TO THE SEASON?
A:Not really because I knew when I signed for the club last season that there were a lot of talented players here. If we can everyone fit I don't see any reason why we can't do well this season.
Q:WERE THE PLAYERS DISAPPOINTED WITH LAST WEEK'S 2-2 DRAW AGAINST ROTHERHAM?
A:It was a bit frustrating because we were at home and we would hope to win matches like that. Credit to Rotherham because they played well but if we had taken our chances we would have won the game comfortably.
Q:WHICH SIDES HAVE YOU BEEN IMPRESSED WITH THIS SEASON?
A:To be honest, I've been most impressed with a couple of the teams that came up – Yeovil and Southend, along with Huddersfield. It's a difficult league to predict at the moment because any one side can beat any other on a given day. Unlike some of the divisions in the Football League, the games in this league are much harder to predict.
Q:HAVE YOU BEEN SURPRISED BY THE STARTS MADE BY THE LIKES OF BRISTOL CITY, TRANMERE AND NOTTINGHAM FOREST?
A:I'm certainly surprised to see Bristol City and Tranmere where they are in the table right now because I thought they would be both be up there challenging for promotion this season. As for Forest, they've had a difficult start but seem to be on a roll at the moment and I would think they will be right up there when it matters.
Q:HOW ARE YOU ENJOYING WORKING WITH BRIAN LAWS?
A:I'm really enjoying it and he has developed a great team spirit here at Glanford Park. The training is very enjoyable and I think people have been surprised by the quality of football we have played so far. It has been suggested by some that we are a 'long ball' team, but we have showed that we can play it on the deck as well.
Q:WERE YOU DISAPPOINTED TO LEAVE HULL LAST SEASON?
A:It's never easy to leave a big club like Hull, especially when they were enjoying such a good run, but at the end of the day, at this stage of my career, I just wanted to play regularly and my first team opportunities were increasingly restricted at Hull. I had two great years there but I think it was the right decision to move on.
Q:WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS WEEKEND'S TRIP TO SWINDON?
A:I'm expecting a really tough game because they are bottom of the league and fighting for their lives. Sometimes it's a bit easier to play away from home against the sides at the top of the table because they are looking for the win and it makes the game more open. But I'm sure this Saturday will be a tight contest and the first goal could be crucial.
