Full-time: Scunthorpe United 0 MK Dons 3
Vitriol towards manager Alan Knill reached its strongest level yet as Scunthorpe United plunged to a fifth defeat in seven games – and their second in succession at an already sparsely-populated Glanford Park.
Boos rang out at the final whistle and there were numerous calls for the manager's head as the Iron boss' position grows increasingly untenable.
-
Alan Smith forces a mistake from Paul Reid as the Iron captain heads the ball past Sam Slocombe to earn the Dons a third goal during their comfortable win at Glanford Park. Picture: Carl Gac.
The Iron gifted MK Dons their opening goal and then did little to suggest they were ever capable of fighting their way back into a one-sided game.
Two expertly executed pieces of opportunism from midfielder Luke Chadwick were the difference between the two sides at half-time.
BLINDS & CURTAINS MADE 2 MEASURE WE COVER SCUNTHORPE & GRIMSBY...
View detailsFREE MAEASURING AND FITTING SERVICE PHONE 809887 FOR A FREE QUOTE www.grimsby-sunblinds.co.uk
Contact: 01472 809887
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
And in the second half, the Dons made their dominance count further when Paul Reid headed into his own net.
The visitors even had a late penalty saved by Sam Slocombe, to atone for his earlier howler, which robbed the brilliant Chadwick of a hat-trick.
Scunthorpe made four changes to the side which conceded three times in the first-half against Preston North End four days earlier – including pairing together David Mirfin and Reid together at the back for the first time this season.
Michael Collins made his first start in more than a year and Josh Walker came in for Robbie Gibbons as the Iron switched to a three-man midfield, while Connor Jennings started up front with Leon Clarke absent through illness.
The change to a 4-3-3 formation helped the hosts make a bright start on the coldest day of the season so far.
Mark Duffy was exceptional, be it on the right, left, or through the middle, with United keen to get him on the ball at every opportunity.
Duffy was desperately unlucky not to fire his side in front in the 14th minute as he built on David Prutton's persistence by drawing a challenge from a Dons defender and driving the ball goalwards, only to see it pushed over by visiting keeper David Martin.
The Dons found their hosts much more accommodating.
A cross from the left should have offered little threat, but it caught out Slocombe and when the Iron stopper could only palm it into play at the back post, Chadwick finished, first time, despite being at a tight angle.
More slick passing play opened the door again for the former Manchester United wide man on the edge of the box as the game reached the half-hour mark.
This time Chadwick didn't need to be presented with an easy opening and he instinctively lifted a shot right into the top corner.
The Doncaster Road End made their feelings clear with chants of 'Knill out' in the immediate aftermath of the second goal, before then ironically cheering Slocombe when he held a simple effort from Daniel Powell.
Although they recovered suitably to enjoy some decent spells of possession for the remainder of the half, in line with the rest of their season, the Iron failed to threaten the visiting goal.
Aside from two Josh Walker efforts from range, the first a free-kick and the second a left-footed strike which Martin pushed away, the second half followed a similar vein.
The comeback United had come close to completing in midweek never looked like materialising.
The Dons wrapped up victory – even though it had never really looked in doubt – in the 60th minute as more slack defensive play allowed a cross to the back post to be knocked back into the middle and Reid could only divert a header past his own goalkeeper under pressure from former Manchester United and England striker Alan Smith.
The question then was how many the visitors would score and they squandered several good openings.
Slocombe's poorly-struck clearance from a back pass fell straight at the feet of midfielder Darren Potter 35 yards out, but his shot at a gaping goal lacked accuracy and the necessary power to add to the home side's misery.
The Iron keeper though did much better eight minutes from time when he denied Chadwick what would have been a memorable hat-trick from the penalty spot.
Chadwick put the spot kick, awarded after Mirfin had upended Angelo Balanta as he raced into the box, low to Slocombe's left and he brilliantly pushed it away.
It was a rare moment for the home crowd to cheer, superceded only by the audible sarcasm when the tannoy announcer read out the names of the sponsors' man of the match at the end of the game.
The chants towards the Iron's manager carried much more sincerity
SCUNTHORPE: Slocombe, Ribeiro, Mirfin, Reid, Newey, Prutton (Grella 63), Walker, Collins, Jennings (Ryan 71), Hawley, Duffy. Subs: Severn, Kennedy, Gibbons, Canavan, Keegan.
MK DONS: Martin, Otsemobor, Williams, Kay, Lewington, Gleeson, Potter, Powell (Chicksen 38), Chadwick, Balanta, Smith (Lowe 74). Subs: McLoughlin, Doumbe, MacDonald, Alli, O'Shea.
ATTENDANCE: 2,737 (164 away).
Comments
by Oldironfan
Sunday, October 28 2012, 10:59AM
“You need to visit the definitions of criticism and ridicule Ironpaul.
There are many justifiable criticisms which can be directed at Scunthorpe United at the present time. You are not the only one who is disappointed, angry and somewhat disillusioned by the shambolic events of the last couple of seasons.
Your solution is to kick people when they are down, to feel big by making others feel small.
Perhaps you have been berated rather than encouraged when you've been down, had your self esteem battered when you've wanted a lift and find humiliation an acceptable tactic.
For all the faults there are at our club and they are in urgent need of addressing, I would be giving my season ticket up if your tactics were adopted by the majority.
For the record, I would still support the club if they went down.”
by beesufc
Sunday, October 28 2012, 8:42AM
“Every match day is turning into groundhog day! I no longer hold a season ticket due to the fact that after last season I had no faith that this season would be any different. So far I have correct with my prediction. I think to myself "shall I go this week?" then I think "No I can spend my money on more important things". Come 5pm I am inevitably relieved I didn't bother going . Over the years I have taken all 3 of my children,the oldest being 16, I started taking her when she was roughly 7yrs old, my other daughter isn't that interested in football so never really took to it but my son who is now almost 10 loves football but he is not interested in going anymore as he has stood on the terrace with me and watched the diabolical "performances" from this season. Speaking to other Scunny supporters I tell them I won't be going again until Knill has gone and I will stick to that. If/When we are playing in league 2 next season as long as Knill has gone I will start going to matches again as it surely to God won't be worse than it is this season. I totally agree with Brockiron who said Cliff Byrne had more passion than the rest of this lot we've got now. We could do with him in the dressing room to give this lot a very big much needed kick up their backsides! He must be gutted at what's happening at GP right now. I feel sorry for my Uncle and cousin who come every week from their home in Leicester to watch us only to have a miserable journey home. Sort it out Wharton and co before it's too late!!! UTI”
by DFlated
Sunday, October 28 2012, 8:22AM
“Looks like we seem to have a chairman willing to let his legacy be that he destroyed Scunthorpe United. This inaction is sending out the wrong signals to the players, the fans and most of all to a teflon coated manager.
It's the FA Cup next week so he is safe again as the club spin masters will play a loss down and then away at Walsall (will be touted as on form) . They then take on Coventry (our loss will down to a former Premiership Club) and our home tie loss to County down to their impressive away form.
The players are purposely under performing to get Knill out. They don't want to play for him. You ought to here what former players are saying about him in private.
It is potentially 10 times worse than when Bara got sacked but Wharton seems to be happy to sit on his hands this time and let gravity take it's course.”
by ironpaul
Sunday, October 28 2012, 8:05AM
“"Please can those fans who are attacking individual players give it a rest. All you will do is shatter thier confidence evan more. Don't you think that they have enough problems playing under the current management????"
"As I felt disheartened by another woeful performance and result, I also felt embarrassed by the ironic jeers when Slocombe caught the ball after his costly fumbles. The lad is having a tough time and this was hardly going to help his confidence."
Come on what planet are you living on? Clearly Slocombe is not good enough for league football. He has been making costly errors for some time now and deserves all the critisism that he gets. To be honest the whole team is a shambles at the moment and that is clearly down to Knill, but don't have a go at people jeering the team. We have had over a season of what can only be described as atrocious football. All the good work that went on for the previous five years has been undone by two men. Its only five years that we were described a s a well run club free of debt. Now we are close to being in administration, an admission of Wharton. OK so it might cost a few bob if he has to sack Knill (who should resign and save him the trouble), but we must be losing thousands a week due to low crowds so that is actually a false economy. Wharton has got plenty of money so he should sack Knill, get a decent manager, spend some of his cash and then maybe someone might be interested in buying his shares. At the moment there is only one place that we are going and that is either the Conference or oblivion. I am a season ticket holder and have followed the iron for over forty years, but even I am considering stopping if we go down this year.”
by IronCrowle
Saturday, October 27 2012, 11:05PM
“I have just read in John Staffs latest history of SUFC that the first time a team played as Scunthorpe United over a hundred years ago that they beat a Crowle team 4-0 at the OSG. Having witnessed this afternoons game, I doubt that the current team could emulate that result.
The lack of confidence, desire and apparent lack of understanding as to the formation or tactics that they were supposed to be adopting was there for all to see. Mr. Knill thank you for your efforts but that's enough now. You've tried your best and been found wanting!
We need to bring a manager with no history of or ties to the club who just wants to succeed. Surley there is a manager out there who is kean to prove themself (on the cheap of course).
Please can those fans who are attacking individual players give it a rest. All you will do is shatter thier confidence evan more. Don't you think that they have enough problems playing under the current management????
UTI”
by carllewis2010
Saturday, October 27 2012, 10:22PM
“Resign now knill and take tightwad wharton with you,absolulely ashamed to be a sufc fan.No fight and players who dont care,our supporters deserve better but we will still here the same old **** day after day in the SET ."UP THE IRON"!!!”
by ironian
Saturday, October 27 2012, 9:58PM
“Well, well, well, what a suprise, Scunthorpe United come flying out of the blocks and hold mighty MK Dons for 20 odd minutes. then, bang, another soft goal and the heads watch every blade of grass on the playing area. Mr Knill, you are supposed to be the Manager of Scunthorpe United. You assembled this team we are finding it hard to call a team. Where is the motivator? Why can those players not show grit and hold their heads up high and instead of thinking 'here we go again' get a firm grasp of the game. Its no good saying MK Dons are a top team, its happening in most games we play. Last season we could excuse the displays we witnessed to a certain extent, but lessons that should have been learnt have clearly been not. Thats down to you Mr Knill.
I have been a supporter of The Iron since the Old Second Division days and have seen Managers come and go. In all this time i have never ever written to any paper to air my views but now i feel i have to. Thats how bad things are. Ive witnessed the highs and lows, seen good players and bad, but never have i seen anything like the diabolical stuff the Glanford Park Faithful are witnessing today.
Where are the heroes in this team? The two players who have been scoring are not permanent fixtures. No disrespect to them, but a Strike force should have been sorted out before the season started. I appreciate players need wages and some Clubs can pay more than what we can but having said that there are players out there who could do the job. What exactly does Chriss Brass do? The only things i remember him for are helping York City into the Conferance and scoring a wonderful own goal at Darlington. Running a football club is a team game, wether in the office, around the ground, On the terraces, On the Pitch and The Management Team.
United is the name but at the moment we are disunited.”
by Brockiron
Saturday, October 27 2012, 9:17PM
“Oldiron fan I agree with you, the jeers Sam got were out of order, if the ball keeps coming in he gets pressure and he gas no room for error, at least he shows some passion.A Knill should do the honest thing and walk, he has had long enough and it has not worked. where Nigel took us was way beyond where we as a club belonged.We tasted the good times and I did and others should have relished them. If we go down to league 2 ( which for a town of our support is where we should really be) then so be it, but what really hurts is the lack of passion. Cliff Byrne had more passion in him than all that team put together apart from Sam, I have been watching the Iron since 1961 and have seen all emotions in that time, but my dear old late Dad said in the seventies, while watching a poor performance, thats it , they are having no more if my money, I'm going to rent a colour telly instead!!!. I have a season ticket and at the moment, I feel I should have bought a dozen hens instead, at least I would have had some bloody eggs!!
LOL come on you lot sort it out, I don't fancy a trip up the A18 or A15, Keep the faith UP The Iron Brock thinking of an egg in Keadby, rather on my plate than on my face”
by Oldironfan
Saturday, October 27 2012, 7:39PM
“Like other contributors on this site, I feel that AK has been given enough time to show that his squad is up to the League 1 challenge.
They continue to fail in all departments and whilst you can't blame Knill for the dreadful errors on display today, he has to accept responsibility for this happening match after match.
As I felt disheartened by another woeful performance and result, I also felt embarrassed by the ironic jeers when Slocombe caught the ball after his costly fumbles. The lad is having a tough time and this was hardly going to help his confidence. To his credit he made some good saves following his errors but it may well be time for the second keeper to step forward.
We are all hurting as fans but this behaviour is unacceptable. Whist the collective chant of 'Knill Out' is a fair shout, I also felt that the individuals in the Telegraph Stand who chose to walk up to the dug-out and abuse him verbally with considerable profanity were also out of order. He is a human being, albeit a failing one and he would have been glad of the ground swallowing up without the vitriolic assault.
His body language today suggested to me that he has had enough. He may not walk because of the financial implications but I think that he will be more than amenable to being asked to leave.
A painful day for everyone.”
by expatbillie
Saturday, October 27 2012, 6:19PM
“Might as well follow Kettering as if something isn`t done NOW then the lights will go out at GP as they have there. I have to add that I admire the 2000 + fans that still have faith and pay to see grown men humiliated weekly by the manager !! IT HAS TO STOP. Get on your bike and chase some squirrels because you are surely not chasing points for SUFC to remain in this league. As for SW and the board you want to be truly ashamed of yourselves. ASHAMED !”