United's woeful form continues, but Woolford calls for home backing
SIX defeats in succession at Glanford Park, a distinct lack of consistency and a spot in the relegation zone.
It makes grim reading for anyone associated with Scunthorpe United.
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STAR MAN: Martyn Woolford (right) has urged fans to stick by the Iron during a difficult period of the season. Picture: Carl Gac.
But for top scoring Iron midfielder Martyn Woolford, it is a scenario which United can turn around, thanks to the trials and tribulations of the previous campaign.
He believes enough of the squad have been through the battle to avoid the drop before to provide them with the experience required to ride out the storm this time.
The ride is getting bumpier with every passing home game, Monday's attendance of 4,498 containing just 3,884 Iron fans – one of the lowest of the season in the Championship for Scunthorpe.
It is a sign some United supporters are beginning to lose faith in their side.
But Woolford has urged them to stick by the team in their hour of need.
"No-one feels more down about this than we do," said the 25-year-old, who admitted he has heard nothing further with regard to Nottingham Forest's alleged interest in him.
"I do feel sympathy for the fans because they want to see their team winning.
"I think we have deserved more from a quite a few of the home games.
"But we are playing at a good standard of football and Scunthorpe United is punching well above its weight.
"Don't get me wrong, we deserve to be here because of the football that we have played but it is always going to be tough in this league.
"We are going to lose games at times so from that point of view they need to get behind us the next time we are at home and give us that little lift we need to get past this little spell we are having at the moment.
"We have seen on Monday the performance is there, we can score goals, it is just a matter of waiting for that luck to change and I am sure we will turn it all round."
Woolford netted his eighth goal of the campaign in the 2-1 loss to Watford, showing he has found his feet in the second tier of English football, even if his team are still struggling to find their's.
But after a season of successfully fighting the drop in the previous campaign, Woolford is sure the club has what it takes to repeat that feat.
"There were times when we were down there scrapping last season," added Woolford.
"We showed the character that we needed to get ourselves out of there.
"We have the experience with the lads that were there last season and know what it is all about – we know we are capable of turning it round like last season.
"A bad team does not show the away form that we have got, so we know we are not a bad side."
23 Comments
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by ScunnyIronMan, Scunthorpe
Thursday, January 06 2011, 1:58PM
“Couldnt agree more, we pay a fortune to watch the rubbish on the pitch. we need a new manager, new board and a good kick up the a*se, the over paid players blame it on each other, START BLAMING YOURSELVES!! sort it out or i for one in a large group will be saving my hard earned pennies on tickets food and drinks.
Wharton not wanting to attract any more fans sums it up- whats the point in increasing revenue- 500 more fans will be 10% 1000 fans is 20%- sounds simple business to me.
1000 tickets is £25000 per game on gates alone, plus a food drinks and programmes!”
by Carole, Castor (West of Peterborough)
Thursday, January 06 2011, 1:40PM
“I haet to say it, but Ian Barraclough just hasn`t got the same talent that Nigel Adkins had as Manager.
The lack of a bottomless pit of cash to bring in proven goal scorers doesn`t help either, or players of any position at the top of their game come to that - but when have we ever had that?
What we`ve got MUST DO BETTER quickly, if only to keep my personal "glass Half full"!!”
by Eddie Murphy, Beverley Hills
Thursday, January 06 2011, 9:27AM
“Some interesting comments here, almost all of which suggest how outrageous Wharton's comments about not attracting more support are. It's a simple equation - the more people through the gates, the more money generated. Yet the ET, and a number of "supporters", seem to think he doesn't need to be taken to task on them.”
by mark, messingham
Thursday, January 06 2011, 7:02AM
“The club's website says there are still 2 500 tickets left for the Everton game....dear oh dear!! Time for the SET to start pressing Mr Wharton I think. Next home game is on Sky so how many will we have for that one? Will the last fan out please switch off the (flood)lights....”
by Brian Lewis, Barton on Humber
Thursday, January 06 2011, 1:04AM
“Well we have 18 commets on the true situation of OUR club, and one from the pathetic O'Moggie, who really is a pathetic clown.
All the genuine supporters keep pointing out our decent of Wharton and the board, but there is only one yearly comment from them, when Warton tells us after the yearly accounts are issued "THE CLUB LOST £400,000 DURING THE PAST SEASON".
Can you imagine what the gates will be next season after the board has guided us down to League One, possibly 2,800, because after nearly 60 years following OUR team, there is no way that I will be bothering wasting my time, when the people running the club act in such a disrespectable way towards the fans.
Since Nigel left the club, our passing game has gone, we just hoof the ball forward, and without a centre forward all season, it comes straight back.
I wander if we can loan a few more players to other clubs, and possibly the £400,000 yearly loss can be avoided.
BOARD OUT BEFORE ANY LONGER!”
by Ironman, Messingham
Thursday, January 06 2011, 12:15AM
“We need a striker, that's all everythIng else if fine”
by Steve, London
Wednesday, January 05 2011, 10:18PM
“Why don't you very unhappy, local chappies buy one share each and go to the AGM ?
Having said that probably the only one who will is happy clapper MCCartney.”
by CARL LEWIS, DERBY
Wednesday, January 05 2011, 9:24PM
“I sometimes wonder why we make comments ,when the SET and CLUB dont like the truth,thanks for blocking my comments Mr Steels????”
by Mark, South
Wednesday, January 05 2011, 7:08PM
“"But we are playing at a good standard of football and Scunthorpe United is punching well above its weight" blah blah blah. How many more times do i have to listen to this rubbish!!!!
Having been watching SUFC for over 25 years i feel this club needs a massive wake up call. Absolutely nothing is glamorous about this club anymore. Crap ground ageing rapidly, crap players, chairman and board, stewards, iron bar etc etc the list goes on....
We are a championship club with the smallest fan base and that will never change. So accept it and act like it. Grab this opportunity while it lasts as it may never come around again.
Invest in the stadium, facilities,players,media (decent reporting),staff,merchandise and advertising etc etc. If not get rid of Wharton and get someone else in who would invest wisely without putting this club in debt.
Does Wharton support this club with passion, probably not!!! It's his little train set investment that he can push and pull whenever he feels like it.
Everyone at this club needs a damn good kick up the backside and deal with it. 'If you have an issue, grab a tissue'.
Up the Iron!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
by skint, scunny
Wednesday, January 05 2011, 6:49PM
“"Maybe Wharton feels that if the people of Scunthorpe can't be bothered to come and support the club, then whyshould he spend any money. Catch 22."
It`s not catch 22 at all. Mr Wharton and the board should be doing everything in their power to attract fans to GP, after all it is their business and what business wouldn`t want to increase their customer base?
Maybe if the board weren`t so blase and the performances on offer weren`t so poor then more of the floating supporters would turn up and less of us hardened fans would become disillusioned. Who in these economic times would be willing to pay a minimum of £20 on the day to watch the tripe being dished up at the minute?”