Scunthorpe United: Criticism by fans is just part of my job, says Alan Knill
Boss Alan Knill admits high expectation levels have made the Scunthorpe United job bigger than he anticipated.
But despite mounting criticism from fans, he remains confident he is the right man for the role.
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EXPECTATIONS: Boss Alan Knill
Three defeats in a row have left the Iron stuck in the bottom four ahead of Saturday's home game with Brentford, with defensive errors and lack of goals at the root of their problems.
Eighteen months after making the move to Glanford Park from Bury, Knill says this is one of the biggest tasks he's faced in management as United face a relegation battle for the second year running.
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"Definitely," said the Scunthorpe boss when asked by the Telegraph if the job in front of him was bigger than expected. "Because the expectation level is so high, people expect us to be in the Championship.
"Don't get me wrong, I expect us to compete but that's probably the biggest thing, the expectation level is massive.
"And we're not living up to everybody's expectations of where this club should be, whether or not that's realistic is another thing.
"But in everybody else's eyes we're a Championship team.
"Just in general it's difficult.
"It's a big job, it was a big job.
"You walk in and I knew from day one it was a big job and it continues to be a big job."
Chants of 'Knill out' have rained down from the terraces in recent games, while other fans have voted with their feet as attendances drop.
Knill though, sees criticism as par for the course.
"Of course it does (bother me), but that's how we live," he said. "You just accept that's how it is.
"We could all come up with reasons why (United are struggling), no-one wants to hear that, they just want results.
"That's what you're judged on.
"Sometimes it's ridiculous but that's what you're judged on. And at the moment I'm not getting results, so that's what I'm judged on."
"If people want to say what they want to say, fair enough. You just try to put it to one side, concentrate on the players and get on with it.
"We've all seen it, it's all about results, if they turn round things change, so that's what we're fighting for.
"We're fighting to change things.
"I think we all feel pressure don't we, everybody feels pressure.
"But as long as from Monday to Friday you do your job, and when the players take the pitch they're prepared for what's to come and prepared to play against the opposition and they have a plan and an idea of how to go about, then you're okay, I'm okay.
"I can't do any more than that.
"Of course you worry, it's my job. It's a constant.
"If my team loses then people are shouting for me to be sacked, so it's a constant.
"You live with it. Don't get me wrong, you don't like it, but you decided that's how you're going to go and you just get on with it."
Although accepting the blame for poor results usually lies at the manager's feet, Knill added there should be a collective air of responsibility.
"I pick those players and I put my faith in them, and at the same time it works the other way," he said.
"I'm expecting a lot and I do expect a lot from the players, and I should do, that's how it works.
"Collectively we're all responsible and collectively you get out of it if you really want to.
"I am worried and concerned about the situation because I don't want to be where we are.
"Before I came here I wasn't used to losing and I'm determined not to get used to losing."
Comments
by johnmmaw
Thursday, October 11 2012, 2:41PM
“"We could all come up with reasons why (United are struggling), no-one wants to hear that, they just want results.
"That's what you're judged on.
"Sometimes it's ridiculous but that's what you're judged on. And at the moment I'm not getting results, so that's what I'm judged on."
Why doesn't he come out and say why we are struggling - if there are people he thinks are not pulling their weight - he should drop them. How can it be ridiculous to judge him on performance - surely that is what it is all about - results. If we had won all our games instead of losing them we woukd be saying brilliant but we have lost so we say he's rubbish. What does he expect us to say he's a brilliant manager and the fans come flocking back to see us get beat every week. If he doesn't want to be judged on results - what do we judge him on - pretty good at killing squirrels with his bike other than that I can honestly say he has an ything going for him!!!”
by ironedout
Thursday, October 11 2012, 12:50PM
“Whats worrying me most is that nearly all of the players we have got now just don't look good enough - there is a distinct lack of pace everywhere
The inevitable new manager may not have any slack to replace them”
by scunnyexile
Thursday, October 11 2012, 11:43AM
“There is no way we could hold our own in the Championship unless we got a billionaire sugar daddy. It's all about money.
Regarding criticism of the Manager, he gets it because there is nothing to congratulate him for. Hopefully things will change.”
by AnonTaxPayer
Thursday, October 11 2012, 11:06AM
“Perhaps AK should just stop talking to the press or hold any interviews. It seems that what ever he says is criticised. Of course if he stops giving interviews then he'll be criticised for not giving them. What a life”
by Blue_Jean
Thursday, October 11 2012, 11:00AM
“It's all just words.
Get us some results, or get out.
Simples.”
by oscarmoggy
Thursday, October 11 2012, 10:52AM
“There are a handful of supporters who think we should be an established Championship side, simply because they can not see any reason why we couldn't stop there, once we had been promoted. This comes down to their lack of understanding of football generally and football as a business in particular. (Some of them will be on this site shortly).
However the vast majority of supporters are more realistic. Some would like to see us pushing for the play-offs, while some would be content with a top half finish. Expectation levels differ. However what they all don't expect is a relegation battle.
Eighteen months ago I was happy with Knill's appointment, I also accepted that we would have to write off last season, to allow him to get rid of the deadwood and bring in his own team. This he has done. So whilst I wouldn't expect us to be pushing for promotion, I would expect us to be comfortably holding our own in the top half of the table.
As for collective responsiblity - whilst the players have a duty to earn their wages, give 100% and play to the best of their ability within the system being used, the ultimate responsibility is Knill's. He's picked the squad, he picks the team and he chooses the tatics.
A worry for me in this article is "Collectively we're all responsible and collectively you get out of it if you really want to." We don't look like we are going to get out of it, so do we take it that collectively they're not bothered.
The supporters I've spoken to this last week can't see Knill surviving another home defeat on Saturday.”
by IronArena
Thursday, October 11 2012, 10:12AM
“Interestingly we always hear how the players do well in training but not on the pitch, perhaps its because they do their job "from Monday to Friday"”
by IronArena
Thursday, October 11 2012, 10:12AM
“"We could all come up with reasons why (United are struggling), no-one wants to hear that, they just want results.....Sometimes it's ridiculous but that's what you're judged on. And at the moment I'm not getting results, so that's what I'm judged on"
Your right Mr Knill we don't want you coming up with reasons, we want to know the real reasons and what the Club is doing to put them right.”
by EddieMurphy
Thursday, October 11 2012, 9:49AM
“Before everyone else fills their boots, can I just ask who exactly expects us to be in the Championship??? Nobody I know, that's for certain. What I do expect is for all the talk and bluster to actually be achieved, and to have a team playing decent stuff and a manager who is capable of inspiring his players and making changes when things clearly aren't working, not shoving his hands in his pocket, slumping in his seat and blaming everyone but himself for the predicament that he (and *his* players) have landed us in. And I also expect the club to do something to stop the hemorrhaging of crowds we're witnessing at the moment, but I guess that's too much like hard work.”