Chris Dagnall: Let's make the most of poor state of Glanford Park pitch
STRIKER Chris Dagnall believes the experience manager Ian Baraclough has brought to Scunthorpe United during the transfer window will serve his side well in their battle to stay in the Championship.
But he believes the Iron's secret weapon for the second half of the season was already in place – the state of the Glanford Park pitch.
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ADVANTAGE: Scunthorpe striker Chris Dagnall.
Bumpy and bobbly, the harsh winter has produced a playing surface upon which the world's best players would struggle to play fast-flowing football.
So Dagnall is keen United use that to their advantage to try and improve their shocking home record – starting against Hull City tomorrow.
"The pitch isn't very good for playing football on at the moment and it's not going to get better," he said.
"In the next few games, no-one is going to be able to spray the ball about so we have to make the most of that.
"We have to make other teams change their game plans and then hopefully we'll be able to adapt to the conditions a bit quicker and make it count.
"If we do that, with the amount of home games we've got left, it could become a bit of a secret weapon."
Dagnall has warned his Iron colleagues they must be prepared to 'battle' in tomorrow's derby showdown.
United also have to start much better, with Kris Boyd's goal in Tuesday's 2-0 loss at Middlesbrough the seventh occasion this term in which they have conceded inside the opening 10 minutes.
"It's obvious to everyone," said the former Rochdale striker.
"We're not getting the first goal in games and that's where we need to start to improve.
"We're giving ourselves a mountain to climb and at the moment we can't climb that mountain often enough."
8 Comments
by Eddie Murphy, relaying the pitch
Saturday, February 05 2011, 6:30PM
“So.........the pitch plan worked then, eh?”
by Ryan, hull
Friday, February 04 2011, 7:12PM
“What's your predictions for tommorows game? 2-1 to the tigers i think. Im not sure what to make of your team to be honest so i think it will be a close game, fryatt and mclean to score.”
by 1500club, Lincs
Friday, February 04 2011, 6:56PM
“And how exactly are Hull 'ambitious'?
In a week when your two big earners have been released, in a year when you were close to administration, relegated, mid table in Div Two do you really think that Hull are a forward thinking 'Super Club'?
What a belly laugh - I was going to do a few sit ups but that saved me the time....bit quiet in January too - where was the Allams cash then? Has he even taken over from last years 'messiah'?
Geta grip - mid table Div 2 is a poor show for an ex PL side...we all witnessed Hul City in November so give it a rest eh.
Up the Iron!”
by Nil points, Wading across the Humber.
Friday, February 04 2011, 6:22PM
“Pitch to match the team/ the supporters/ the town/ the ambition. At least you can pop to the Hawthorns to see your old mate Oscar finally having a nice time, good ale great folk so cheers to all you soggy footed poor scunny fans who have all been sunburned by 10 mins in the sun. I'm sure the Easter bunny will be able to console the scunny bunny about confirmed relegation.”
by scoop, ashby
Friday, February 04 2011, 5:51PM
“It dosnt matter if you play football or hoofball, the problem is we are averaging one shot on goal per game and have done for the last number of games, we are trying to play the ball into the net, lets wake up and have some shooting on sight, on a greasy pitch anything can happen, but not if you dont have a go,SHOOT
by 1500club, Lincs
Friday, February 04 2011, 3:19PM
“It's doesn't work though..the centre back hoof it and it just comes straight back at our back four.
Football is a simple game...win the ball, get it wide (ESPECIALLY WHEN THE PITCHIS DUG UP IN THE MIDDLE), whip crosses in and get on the end of them...442, ball to feet at pace.
If we do play super direct, a decent side like Hull (and that they are) will muller us.
Up the Iron!”
by jimmy krankie, crackerjack
Friday, February 04 2011, 3:10PM
“Whilst Baraclot's in charge, it's going to be hoofball...so for now we'll have to lump it or do what many have done, and stay at home”
by Eddie Murphy, Beverley Hills
Friday, February 04 2011, 2:34PM
“So, as the hoofball hasn't been working, the answer is an even more reductive version of hoofball? I'm pretty sure we got to this level by playing football. Why the need to abandon it (pitch aside - this has been an issue for longer than a soggy pitch)?”