OPINION: Keeping the wolves from the door

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The Iron head into the festive period sitting comfortably in the play-off spots, but the mood at Glanford Park is shifting from optimism to apprehension as the January transfer window looms large, writes Matt Blanchard.

Whilst a stellar first half of the campaign has the fanbase dreaming of a return to the Football League, the reality for manager Andy Butler is far more pragmatic. He has steadfastly stuck to his ’50 points to safety’ target – a mantra designed to keep feet on the ground – but with that milestone now well within reach, the goalposts have inevitably shifted.

However, success brings its own dangers. The opening of the EFL transfer window isn’t just an opportunity to recruit; it is a direct threat to our progress. Scouts from League One and League Two have become regular fixtures at Glanford Park in recent weeks, a clear sign that our resurgence has not gone unnoticed.

The challenge this January isn’t just about who we can bring in – it’s about whether we can fend off the vultures circling our prize assets. As the window opens, the fight to keep this squad together could be the defining battle of our season. If we win that battle, then promotion looks like a genuine possibility – a scenario few of us dared to predict back in August.

Ewing, Roberts and Whitehall return

The importance of retention was hammered home during the recent 2-1 away victory at Woking. To go there and turn over a side unbeaten in their last ten outings was a massive statement, and seeing Danny Whitehall, Callum Roberts, and Oli Ewing all back in the fold simultaneously gave us a reminder of what this side is truly capable of at full strength.

The three points were vital, yet the result could – and probably should – have been put to bed long before the final whistle. Danny Whitehall led the line with authority in arguably his standout performance of the campaign. It was a display that highlighted exactly what we’ve been missing and that spell on the sidelines appears to have done him the world of good.

He looked revitalised, particularly in the first half, and needed just fifteen minutes to mark his return with a goal – attacking a pinpoint Zain Westbrooke delivery with conviction to bury a diving header into the top corner.

If Whitehall provided the focal point, it was Oli Ewing who provided the pulse. In a relentlessly energetic performance, Ewing was everywhere. He pressed from the front, instigated a number of attacks, yet never shirked his duties tracking back to tidy up when required. He ran the game, allowing those around him to flourish.

Roberts dazzled alongside him – providing a touch of genuine class with a half-volley assist for Dec Howe – though he will be frustrated not to have capped his display with a goal after finding himself on the end of several flowing team moves.

The Festive Gauntlet

The festive period is notoriously unforgiving, but the fixture list has dealt us a hand that offers a real chance to build momentum.

First up is Hartlepool United on Boxing Day. Victoria Park is never an easy place to visit, but the hosts are arguably there for the taking; despite looking resurgent immediately after Simon Grayson’s sacking, their confidence has taken a battering following that shock FA Trophy loss to Anstey Nomads and a routine home defeat to Yeovil.

With home games against struggling Gateshead and Sutton United to follow, this run of three games is a prime opportunity to put significant points on the board.

The Ewing Conundrum

Success, however, brings unwanted attention and the rumour mill is already spinning regarding Oli Ewing. It is well documented that there is interest from EFL sides and if interest is firmed up with bids in the coming weeks, it leaves the board with a massive conundrum.

Ewing is out of contract in the summer and whilst there is suggestion of an option in place to extend his initial one year deal , it does require agreement from both parties, making his future far from secure. The 22-year-old is a supreme talent, no doubt, and the downturn in the club’s form during his absence following that knock at Blackpool highlights just how vital he is to our system.

There is no question of his head being turned or a lack of commitment; it is simply a case of a young player who is clearly confident in his ability and believes he can play at a much higher level.

So, do we cash in? Realistically, we might command a fee in the region of £50k. In our current financial climate, that is a sum not to be sniffed at. But we have to weigh that against the value of a potential second consecutive promotion.

Is circa £50k worth weakening our engine room when we are challenging at the top? Unless the offer is one the club simply cannot turn down, we must keep him. It would be a travesty to cash in now and derail a playoff push for a quick buck.

Between the Sticks

Further back, the goalkeeping situation remains a topic of fierce debate, though Rory Mahady has made a strong case to keep the gloves in recent weeks. Leeds United have been incredibly accommodating with his loan so far, and Iron boss Andy Butler has been vocal about how great the Premier League side have been to deal with.

Given Mahady’s growing confidence and the character he has shown to bounce back from a couple of mistakes, it would be a no-brainer to extend his stay until the end of the season if at all possible.

Behind him, Louis Jones looked steady enough in the National League Cup, but the jury is still very much out on Maison Campbell. There are lingering question marks over his injury record and whether he will be fit enough – or frankly, good enough – to be the number one required for a National League promotion charge. His shaky start to the season hasn’t been forgotten.

For now, Mahady is the man in possession of the gloves, but securing that extension beyond January is vital.

Another player we must try to keep hold of is Zain Westbrooke. The loanee from Doncaster was instrumental in that opening goal at Woking and has been a mainstay of late, offering a good range of passing whilst chipping in with a number of assists in recent weeks.

Westbrooke has said his main focus is playing football, which is promising, but Donny boss Grant McCann has hinted at League Two interest. Losing him would be a bitter pill to swallow, particularly with Alfie Beestin currently nursing a knock.

The Grimsby Threat

The other loan spell causing sleepless nights among the Iron faithful is that of former academy prospect Tyrell Sellars-Fleming. The Hull City forward has been a revelation since arriving at Glanford Park, netting a number of vital goals and adding a dynamic edge to our forward line.

However, his form has alerted League Two clubs, with struggling Grimsby Town reportedly keen on securing his services. While there is a romantic link – his father, Terry Fleming, played for the Mariners during the 2004/05 campaign – you have to question the logic of the move.

Why trade a promotion push for a relegation dogfight? Grimsby have looked a shadow of themselves since their Carabao Cup run ended and David Artell appears to have no answer to their alarming slump. A move down the A180, where he is not guaranteed game time, looks like a distinct step backwards.

Calculated Gambles and Tight Budgets

Whilst we look to retain our own and extend a couple of loan deals until the end of the season, we must also be realistic about bringing new faces in. We know money is tight. The fact the club reportedly couldn’t get a short-term deal for Aramide Oteh over the line due to travel costs shows the tight budget contraints Butler is operating with.

It is a sobering reality check for any fans hoping for a spending spree; unlike a number of our rivals at the top end of the table, we simply cannot try to buy our way out of the league.

This makes our January business critical. We might need to move a couple on to free up wages. Dubem Eze looked lively against Peterborough Sports in the Trophy, scoring a brace and threatening a ten-minute hat-trick, but he remains on the periphery of the league side. Billy Chadwick, too, hasn’t really featured and would likely benefit from a fresh start.

If we can free up those wages, that money must be utilised intelligently to help cement our spot in the playoffs. To be fair, Butler has got recruitment right for the most part this season, finding gems within a tight budget, so he deserves backing to identify the right reinforcements.

We sit with a play-off cushion we could only dream of as we were promoted in the summer, but standing still is not an option. Now is the time to be brave. If we can hold onto our key men and add a touch of quality, this season won’t just be about stability. It could be the springboard that launches us back into the Football League.

Merry Christmas.

Up the Iron.