Scunthorpe United manager Andy Butler has publicly backed his players ahead of Saturday's National League trip to Sutton United. The Iron travel south sitting 21st in the table with just four points from their opening six matches, a position that places them in the relegation zone. Butler's comments come as his team seeks to build on a 3-1 win over Solihull Moors and halt a recent run of poor form.
"I think we're a really good team and we've got a really good squad," Butler said. His assessment arrives during a challenging start to the 2026/27 campaign, where Scunthorpe have conceded 12 goals while scoring eight, leaving them with a negative four goal difference. The club's current form reads as two losses, a win, and two more losses in their last five outings.
Scunthorpe's current struggles follow a period of significant upheaval. Relegated from the English Football League in 2022, the club suffered a second successive demotion that sent them into the National League North. They spent two seasons at that level before securing promotion back to the National League in 2024 under Butler, who was appointed manager that May. The former defender, who made 134 appearances for the club during his playing days, then guided the team to a fifth-place finish in the 2025/26 season and a National League Cup semi-final, where they were defeated by Rochdale.
Butler has overseen a substantial squad rebuild for this season, bringing in seven new faces. The summer arrivals include forward James Gale, experienced midfielder Jacob Butterfield, and defenders Jordan Richards, Callum Howe, and Reagan Ogle. Winger Kyle Hurst and attacker Luke Brennan also joined, adding depth across the pitch. The longest-serving player remains Alfie Beestin, who has racked up 224 appearances and scored 28 goals for the Iron. Last season's attacking impetus came from Callum Roberts, the top scorer, and key player Danny Whitehall. Fans can view the full roster on the club's squad page.
The early-season table makes for concerning reading. With only one win, one draw, and four losses, Scunthorpe find themselves 12 points adrift of early leaders Boreham Wood. This places immense importance on every fixture, starting with the visit to Gander Green Lane. The club's standings page shows the tight nature of the bottom half, where a couple of positive results could dramatically shift their position. The upcoming schedule, visible on the fixtures list, presents a critical period for Butler's side to gather momentum.
Saturday's opponents, Sutton United, host the game at their Borough Sports Ground. The match kicks off at 3pm on 12th September and represents a direct opportunity for Scunthorpe to climb out of the bottom four. Preparation will focus on shoring up a defence that has been breached too frequently, while hoping the new attacking signings can gel quickly to improve the goal output. The team's recent stats highlight the need for greater defensive solidity to turn performances into points.
Scunthorpe United's next assignment after Sutton is a home fixture against Aldershot Town on 19th September.
