'Fragile' Scunthorpe United lack character and passion says Brian Laws after Doncaster Rovers defeat
Brian Laws labelled Scunthorpe United's players as 'fragile' and lacking character and passion as he delivered a damning assessment of their derby defeat at Doncaster Rovers.
The Iron equalled their biggest loss of the campaign - the third time they have been beaten 4-0 this season - at the Keepmoat Stadium on Saturday, again falling apart after going 2-0 down to their South Yorkshire neighbours.
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Brian Laws watches on in the rain at the Keepmoat Stadium as Scunthorpe United crashed to another defeat. Picture: Phil Cook.
Doncaster had taken just 10 points in front of their own fans this term prior to hosting the Iron, yet the outcome of this game never looked in doubt with United uninventive going forward and too easy to score against.
Scunthorpe gifted the hosts the lead in the 22nd minute when Christian Ribeiro headed a cross into his own net and in the second half David Cotterill, former Iron defender Rob Jones and Billy Paynter compounded their misery.
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Laws, clearly angry at his side's capitulation, said United had to react better to going behind.
"He made a disappointing judgement call, but there's no point in ramming it down his throat – he made a mistake," said the Iron boss, on Ribeiro's own goal.
"These things happen, but so what? You've got to move on get on with it.
"What we've found is it seems to affect everyone when we concede.
"Whilst everything is okay, the players are fine. But as soon as we concede a goal there's this fragileness about us. That's not just now, it's been like that all season.
"Today we didn't pressure, we didn't tackle and we didn't get close to them.
"It was a local derby and when tackling, we weren't even going to ground.
"We could have probably shoved the kit straight back into the kit bag without having to wash it.
"If you're in a derby and you don't show any passion, you're going to get what we did.
"I'd have loved to have come off being able to say 'the lads had a good go' but in the second half we didn't and I can't disguise it.
"I didn't see enough characters out there that could actually handle a battle."
Laws believes one of Scunthorpe's biggest problems is in their make-up.
He said the Iron dressing room was the quietest he had worked in, with very few personalities.
Laws hinted that the departure of Cliff Byrne under previous manager Alan Knill back in May had gone a long way to creating the current issues that stand in the way of League One survival.
But with the loan window now closed until January and little money with which to work, there is no easy way of halting their slide.
"The simple way to change the lack of character would be to change the players," he continued.
"We're not in a position to do that.
"Yes we understand what we need. Unfortunately we can't change it now, though there will be a period of time when we can.
"At this moment we've got to dig in with the resources we've got and that means the players. They have got to start showing some mettle and honesty.
"They need to show some character, drive and commitment.
"They are such a quiet bunch of lads. I've got to say, that in all my time in football, this is probably the quietest dressing room in terms of characters I've known.
"Unfortunately the club got rid of some really good characters and they've not replaced them. We need characters, they are the heart and soul of a football club, particularly at Scunthorpe."
Laws said the Iron's players could learn a lot from the club's fans, more than 1,000 of whom witnessed another dismal day of an increasingly woeful season.
"The fans were absolutely brilliant today. They're more passionate than the players and they've seen that week in, week out," he added.
Comments
by ironedout
Tuesday, November 27 2012, 12:44PM
“We are relying on you, Brian to sort these jokers out”
by AndrewClee
Tuesday, November 27 2012, 12:36AM
“Discusting,
http://tinyurl.com/c4z45yh”
by Dmented
Monday, November 26 2012, 10:50PM
“Did Laws realise how bad the squad is? No, because he kept Knill's mates. I think he does now.
They are truly shocking. He will have to do some wheeling in January. Question is, who is going to take our useless, uncommitted players? And that includes the Mirf. He has no interest.
Mr W blew it 2&1/2 years ago when he let the good players leave (Hayes and Sparrow). We can't recover. Knill recruited rubbish given the budget imposed by the tight boy. Lge 2 beckons. Best of luck, Brian.”
by scunnyexile
Monday, November 26 2012, 8:41PM
“We know Lawsey has the passion. It seems that the players have not. However that is hardly surprising since a lot of them are rejects on loan to us for a pittance. How can you have a team when half of them don't give a toss for the club. Obviously we need competition for places to give us a bit of "bite". Yes, I appreciate that money is tight and we will never be a rich club. (unless I get the Euro Millions on a six week roll over"). We need players who can play together and want to succeed and we may reach the "Conference" before we achieve it. Sorry to be so pessimistic folks and I hope I am wrong.”
by Oldironfan
Monday, November 26 2012, 7:20PM
“Its all a matter of opinion Skuna. Last two games we have been poor in midfield but you honestly can't say that Bacham is the solution on the left. He was so bad against Bury it was embarrassing. I would much rather have had Gibbons's appetite and agression. The same is true for some of the other young lads waiting in the wings who have been really eager when they have been given their limited time in the spotlight.
If the current players are not up for the fight, rest them. Injuries and suspensions have not been kind to us but after the false dawn of the two unexpected wins, we are back to being rolled over by teams which simply have more guts for the battle.
We have tried pretty, pretty football (the sort we all want to see) and it hasn't worked. I hate to say it but we need to be cruder to be harder to beat. Uncompromising in clearing lines at the back, 5 in midfield to stiffle the opposition until we find our feet. Aggressive runs from midfield to support the striker.
Goodness knows what we will be dished up next time but if it isn't considerably improved on what we had to endure against Bury and Donny, I wouldn't be surprised if the second round of absenteeism from Glanford Park gets underway.”
by Skuna
Monday, November 26 2012, 1:39PM
“Laws has reverted to playing like we did under Knill.
When Laws started he said that we played too wide and we got overrun in the middle of the park. It happened again against Bury and Donny. Prutton getting sent off was a blessing in disguise. He should be sent straight back to Sheffield, he didn't even break sweat on Saturday. How Mozika didn't start baffles me. In my opinion, if we are going to stay up he will need to play a 4-5-1 with Ryan in the middle, he's just our most creative player and with Walker and Mozzy doing the breaking down (and protecting the defence) then it would be possible to have Duffy and Barcham playing wide and supporting Hawley in attack along with Ryan.
Enough said.
UTI !!”
by DFlated
Monday, November 26 2012, 11:46AM
“Lets get Cliff back.”
by ironite
Monday, November 26 2012, 11:34AM
“It's a worrying sign when an incoming Manager announces that the team lacks leadership (completely true and not exactly 'old news'), but we're stuck with them for at least the next 6 weeks. We've had some really strong leaders in the past (Crosby; Byrne; Mark Jackson) that Laws has put in place.
Right now I just hope we haven't been marooned come January.”
by DFlated
Monday, November 26 2012, 10:28AM
“So which of my comments is agreeable - the original or the exact opposite - both seems to be based at Scampton.”
by xcahoot
Sunday, November 25 2012, 2:22PM
“I visited the Keepmoat yesterday .
There were two highlights to the day
Lawsey Lawsey, gave us a wave as requested & the hokeycokey Scunthorpe Scamps youthdance
Brian you sound like the Conservatives blaming Labour for what has happened in the past.
I was so relieved when they brought you in ,
I expected & still do that you were the fella that was going to put some fire in their bellies !
The talk on the coach was that Mozika was tired.
I wonder if one of the more enlightened amongst us could be so good, as to translate the following into French!.
Damo Son try getting up at 5 am for thirty years working 12 to 15 hours a day for bargain basement wages in all weathers ,, that Bonnie Lad is tired.
Then waste your hard earned cash following a wrist limp shower rain or shine .
Thats bleedin tired , "tired of codswallop"
Brian you & the management team were to blame ! why the heck did you not play Karl Hawsley , it works ! its about the only thing that has worked consistently for us .
The favour you called in getting Duke Ellington misfired ,,,
you should have gone for Acker Bilke.
Barchie was one of our better players last season for this simple reason , he knew he was getting picked.
Knill did him no favours broadcasting the lads demise.
Play Barchie on the left wing Duffy on the right consistently ,,it works
We are making the same mistakes we were making twelve months ago !
The passing is abysmal , especially midfield attacking !
Defenders heading the ball back into the danger area , get the bloody thing out !
clear it . Our lot head it back & give the opposition a second chance !
New personnel is not the answer ,
Why ?
because any new players are going to be substandard players unwanted by anywhere else.
We Have No Money !
Learn the players you have got To Pass the ball.”