I've Already Seen The Champions Says Darlo Boss Alun

The Quakers boss is more focused on life at the other end but says Scunthorpe United already look the real deal and could be very hard too stop.

The Iron invested in the summer, including luring Danny Whitehall from Eastleigh, Aberdeen winger Callum Roberts and Chesterfield keeper Ross Fitzsimons.

He says he can’t question his players’ desire despite three defeats from their first three games - but did say the rest of August will define Darlo’s direction and what could happen for the next eight months.

“Scunthorpe are top drawer,” he told Ray Simpson on the club’s YouTube channel. “They’re the league winners, in all honesty. We’ve been turned over but I can’t fault the effort and commitment of my players.

“At this moment in time everything is going against the lads. I was devastated for them at half-time, the effort they were putting in was fantastic. Two big deflections really didn’t help us.

“There are still things to work on, we’re not holding the ball well enough up front and there’s other little things we must do better.

“If we can start putting the ball in the back of the net, things will turn,” he added following the 4-0 defeat at Glanford Park.

“Things just aren’t running for them at the moment. Luck isn’t with us, but we’ve got three massive games coming up that will define our season. They have to start putting the wins on the board.”

Darlington face fast-starters Brackley Town on Saturday before matches Alfrerton and South Shields.