Players have to want to improve says new United boss Knill
NEW manager Alan Knill has warned his players to prepare for a 'massive' final seven games of the season after being given a quick insight into the size of the job he has taken on at Scunthorpe United.
The 46-year-old labelled some of the Iron's efforts 'unacceptable' as they crashed to a 6-0 defeat in his first game in charge at Norwich City on Saturday – their worst defeat for 10 years.
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Alan Knill and Chris Brass can only watch in disbelief as the Iron make the worst possible start to their reign
Although having to play for 10 men for an hour, after Paul Reid had been sent off for bringing down Grant Holt when the last man, didn't help United's cause against the in-form Canaries, Knill pulled no punches in his first post-match press conference.
And while he will spend the next five days getting to know the Iron's players in depth, improving their work rate has sprung to the top of his list.
"It's going to be a huge week in terms of me getting to know the players and the next seven games are massive," he said at Carrow Road.
"Massive for me and massive for them as well.
"It can only get better after Saturday, but I have to have a commitment from the players that they want to try to get better.
"I can do some things, but without the players' help, we can't do much. They have to be ready to work and to go out on the pitch and work hard.
"I talked about it with the players in the dressing room after the game. There were some things that were unacceptable.
"The lack of urgency, energy and athleticism was the most disappointing thing.
"At any level you have to be able to run around or it's going to be very difficult.
"My observation so far is that's why we are where we are. The work ethic isn't what I would expect."
It wasn't just the manner of the Canaries capitulation that saw the Iron's already slim survival hopes worsen at the weekend.
Preston's victory over Swansea saw them send Scunthorpe to the foot of the table for the first time this term and a win for Crystal Palace means they are now eight points from safety.
Getting out of the bottom four remains possible, Knill insists, until it is mathematically impossible.
But actually achieving that aim is now down to hope more than belief – unlike those who have been in charge before him.
"We can still stay up, because there's 21 points to play for," added the former Bury boss.
"Until it's mathematically whatever we'll try our best, but we have to try a whole lot better than that.
"It was an extremely tough first game, but while we were playing against a really good side, some of the goals were pretty poor goals.
"But I have to say it confirmed what I thought. I knew what I was walking into.
"When a team is second from bottom, you know there's some problems. I knew that when I came here, so the game confirmed what I already knew."
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by mike, shakerland
Monday, April 04 2011, 8:31PM
“I don't think that Scunny are so much better equipped to bounce back when they are relegated to league 1 and yes fail have proved that with good team spirit and organisation you can cut it in a demanding league.I think Hill has worked miracles with a well run club though it pains me to say so.It's funny Alan Knill left Bury to sign for Scunny in the late 1980's a bit of a coincidence.My one criticism of his style of management is that he tends to be reluctant to allow youth players to thrive and picks the same team week in week out and then he never seems to make substitutions which impact in games.Definitely a manager who looks a glass which is half empty.Up the shakers.”
by Eddie Murphy, Beverley Hills
Monday, April 04 2011, 7:45PM
“Can't disagree with Jimmy. We have far too many players who like to talk the talk in the ET, but are unwilling/unable to back it up on the pitch. I fear our golden period is at an end, and we are not just going down without a fight but also without attempting to play football anymore. Crowds will be even more embarrassing next season unless the club does something to attempt to attract new support and show the current support that there is a commitment to progress the club. We also have no "crown jewel" to be flogged this season, and coupled with the drop in TV money, even less for Knill to work with in terms of finance in the summer. Unless that "performance" on saturday manages to kickstart the players and we achieve the near-impossible, I think we're looking at a very grim next couple of years. And yes, people will point out that we're punching above our weight and we should enjoy being at this level while it lasts, but that's even more reason not to throw it away as cheaply as we are doing. I only hope we never go into a season so incredibly under-strength again.”
by Martin Johnson, Iraq ,Kurdistan
Monday, April 04 2011, 6:41PM
“I have to agree with JK , I too have watched the iron since the 60s as a nipper and i cannot recall ever seeing a team with as little fight even when we were bottom of league 4 with Beefy up front we had more belief . Bara was the wrong choice at this level and now we pay the price. However thanks for 4 good seasons ....
Iraqiron. Jono”
by mark, messingham
Monday, April 04 2011, 5:43PM
“My friends and I pre booked the Restaurant package to celebrate a special occasion at £50 a head..now they've dropped admission to a £10!!...not a happy bunny.....”
by john, Scunny
Monday, April 04 2011, 5:10PM
“Dont you think 10 quid is a bit over the top for the QPR game unless it includes a meal and bottle of wine with the players before the game”
by bleedin' Claret, and Blue
Monday, April 04 2011, 4:58PM
“Respect to the 300 that went. True supporters guys.
We need to rebuild confidence and the squad..... in L1. Knilly will stand a better chance there on a budget more suited to that league. Then we'll see what he can do.
And if he's good he'll get poached, and the football merry go round will continue turning when someone wave's their 'wad' of cash.
Anyway, look on the bright side, at least we haven't got a statue of
Michael Jackson outside the Donny Road End !!. Mind you, it would have probably made the bench on Saturday.
Knilly's Barmy Army 1 - 0 QPR.”
by simon, scunny
Monday, April 04 2011, 2:07PM
“"We need to improve" no s**t!!!”
by Mike, Bury
Monday, April 04 2011, 12:38PM
“Oh dear what have you done Alan? i had to laugh when i saw this scoreline come up whilst i was listening to the BBC RADIO MANCHESTER'S commentary of Bury fc your former club winning with ease against Oxford United managed by our former assistant manger Chris Wider and doing it with immense pride.Now that's a proper football team and a club that makes you proud to support.It might have been treacherous what you did in leaving us with no backroom staff other than our Youth team coach but well done to the players of Bury fc.You got what you deserved Alan though i wish you and Scunthorpe United all the best from here on in.I just wanted to see the reaction from Scunny and Bury and i got what i wanted a fabulous win and the old saying "You have jumped from the frying pan in to the fire" more like a cauldron of heat.”
by Any Old Iron, North Lindsey
Monday, April 04 2011, 12:17PM
“"It's the lack of effiort that has galled me - - " I'd be very disappointed that a professional person in any walk of life doesn't give maximum effort when working - more so sportsmen who are on exceptional wages, although on short contracts. I prefer to believe that it is mainly poor organisation of the resources available and who perhaps aren't up to the job in hand.”
by john, Scunthorpe
Monday, April 04 2011, 11:53AM
“How many P 45s and 1 way tickets will be needed”