Lessons in defeat as progress continues for United manager Adkins
SOMETIMES you learn more about your team in defeat than in victory.
That was the attitude Iron boss Nigel Adkins decided to use in response to his side slipping to a disappointing 1-0 defeat to York City in midweek.
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PLENTY TO PONDER: Boss Nigel Adkins has seen room for improvement during Scunthorpe United's pre-season.
And although he freely admitted the performance wasn't the best from his side, he wasn't overly concerned either.
"It's not failure, it's a lesson, that is what we're looking at all the time," Adkins said.
"It's not about the results, it's about the performance.
"We're trying to put things together and we learned a lot.
"But at times some of the players looked uncomfortable.
"There are lessons that everyone can learn from that as part of their development.
"And that is as a group, not just the youngsters, it's everybody who was on the field of play we're trying to improve.
"It is trying to get ourselves in a position where we concentrate and do the basics well.
"That is basically when things go wrong, when you don't concentrate on doing the basics.
"There were too many occasions when basic errors were being made at York, which in training they've been doing well, but now it's the competitive side of things, some basic errors were made.
"The first half was evenly matched, Jonathan Forte could have scored a couple of goals.
"We tried to give some more game time to some of the players who didn't play on Saturday (against Sheffield Wednesday), some of the younger players as well and it was a tough second half for them.
"York improved in the second half and had more of the possession than we would have liked and because of that they created some opportunities.
"In the end it was a fantastic strike from (Richard) Brodie in the final minute of the game.
"So all in all it was a good lesson for some of the younger players, certainly a good lesson for ourselves, seeing if the players can step up to the mark."
Adkins again deployed Andrew Wright in the holding midfield role as he has done throughout pre-season – rather than as a full-back where he has mainly played in his two years at the club.
And it would seem that Wright's combative style has convinced Adkins to put him in direct competition with Josh Wright for the role this season.
"We've used him (Wright) in several positions since he has been at the football club," Adkins said of the former Liverpool trainee.
"When we got to the final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy he played outstanding against Rotherham (in the semi-final) in that holding midfield role.
"Again we are looking at trying to nullify the amount of goals we conceded last season, we have to bring that down, and I think the holding midfield role is an important one.
"Josh Wright does that ever so well for us but obviously we are looking at the squad that we have got and it's not going to be the biggest squad.
"But we have got to make sure that we have got cover in all positions in our endeavour to keep improving as a team and as a football club."
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by Al, B'mouth
Thursday, July 29 2010, 11:37PM
“Seems to me that there is still a personality clash between adkins and o'connor. What's going on. Going to Reading but not looking forward to the final score. Hope i'm wrong?”
by bev, spain
Thursday, July 29 2010, 8:07PM
“i was in england last week saw the iron vs sheff wed after the york result and nigels comments i will have a bet they r relegated by xmas i cant see were the goals r comming from the defence is about the same a long hard season”
by FINGERS LIKE..., .A BLIND COBBLERS THUMBS!
Thursday, July 29 2010, 6:09PM
“MORE SMOKE AND MIRRORS THAN QUEEN'S BOHIEMIEN RHAPSODY VIDEO*”
by 1500club, Inglenook cafe, King Street
Thursday, July 29 2010, 6:07PM
“MORE MIRRORS THAN QUENN'S 'BOHIEMIAN RHAPSODY' VIDEO!
I'm off to Reading and expect just the same as we got at Cardiff....we will struggle early on in the season, before being forced to spend or get a loan in...you need goals and other than Thompson, I cant see where they'll come from...as much as we all hope that Forte is the answer, the whole scenerio reminds me of Andy Parton 'getting a run out'.
I think we are gambling on staying up with a Div one squad, with the worst case scenrio being a decent chance of play off success like last time.
Clearly we are skint - however, I dont see why we cant attract a couple of PL loanees to add that bit of quality.
Re Wright (A)...if Josh Wright is first choice anchor man, then surely Togwell is second choice? Collins and O'Connor CM and Thompson/WoolFord wide with Dagnel/Forte and Grant alternating over 90 mins? Where does Wright fit in? One good game against Rotherham two years back is hardly enough...a poor mans Steve Thornber IMO.
Up the Iron!”
by P.Doff, Worriedsville
Thursday, July 29 2010, 1:03PM
“For Christ's sake let this be a wind up. This is pure suicide to imagine Andrew Wright is anything but Reserves / Dire Emergency cover.
The more I see, the more I read it is obvious these up and coming ground improvements for being in the Championship will be the cause of us not being in it.”
by Brian, Wright track
Thursday, July 29 2010, 12:09PM
“Steve, London - it is clear Cliff has been the preferred RB because as you say A Wright has not been good enough. However, I said IMO once fully fit Nolan will be the preferred RB. Please note this means in my opinion - but thankfully for all concerned I am not the manager but I cannot imagine Cliff will hold onto the RB position much longer. Time alone will tell. UTI!!!!”
by Eddie Murphy, Beverley Hills
Thursday, July 29 2010, 11:54AM
“I'm still going to give Jones time. I've said before that he might just be the sort of person who takes a long time to settle, and if he can reach the level that he reportedly showed in Scotland, he should be fine. Well, let's hope so because record signings don't just get binned! Agree about O'Connor - like the look of him and I was looking forward to seeing a lot more from him this season, but he doesn't appear to be at the forefront of plans.”
by Steve, London
Thursday, July 29 2010, 10:08AM
“NA paid £250k for O'Connor. No mention of him, is he now persona non-gratis ?
A Wright is a Lge 2 player.
We can't play with Wooly and Thommo on the wings as neither of them can defend. Anyway, Thommo deserves a go upfront after his exploits of last season.
And please note, Brian Wrong-track, that Mr Discipline himself, Cliffy Byrne, will be first choice RB. Haven't you learnt anything from watching SUFC over the last few years ?
NA may have kept us up and be the best manager in living memory but his team selections are weird (Jones will play and will be an absolute disaster)”
by Brian, Wright track
Thursday, July 29 2010, 9:56AM
“It appears as though Nigel is looking at Josh W as the preferred holding midfield player but allowing for injuries Andrew W will be able to play RB or Midfield. IMO Nolan once fit will be our preferred right back with Mc Nulty at left back. A fully fit and confident Rob Jones (he was excellent at York) will give a few options at CB. Mirfin (he struggled at York), Raynes and Canavan are all capable enough now to make their mark. Steve, I hope you are not suggesting hoof ball. I much prefer playing to feet and using our wingers to allow either Forte, Dagnall or Grant to get the goals. With the wingers Woolford and Thompson to interchange if play dictates. 'Total football' mmmm time will tell but my glass remains half full. UTI!!!!”
by Con Cerned, Waiting For KO
Thursday, July 29 2010, 9:42AM
“Eddie,
No it's not just you, as far as I'm concerned it's a no brainer. Josh every time. Andrew Wright is nowhere near good enough for the Championship, in any position. If this is how Adkins is thinking then we are in real trouble.”