Scunthorpe Utd: Canavan - Iron are becoming harder to beat
As they prepare to host high-flying Sheffield Wednesday, defender Niall Canavan believes Scunthorpe United can at least take confidence from the fact they are becoming harder to beat.
Saturday's 1-1 draw at home to Stevenage made it four games without defeat for the Iron, only the second time this season they have put together such a run.
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FULL OF CONFIDENCE: Niall Canavan says Scunthorpe must take the game to high-flying opponents Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow night
The promotion-chasing Owls are likely to put that sequence severely to the test, but far from being wary of their visitors, Canavan says United should see tomorrow's Glanford Park clash as a chance to shed their tag of League One's draw specialists.
"We're unbeaten in four, and that consistency of being hard to beat is something we've not really had," said the centre-back.
"I definitely feel we're moving in the right direction and hopefully it continues tomorrow night.
"The gaffer said that's 13 draws we've had in the league now, and if you turn just half of those into wins we'd be much higher up the table.
"I think it's coming, and hopefully it starts tomorrow against Sheffield Wednesday.
"We've been saying for a while that the home form's not brilliant, but I think we're getting there.
"Hopefully the fans saw on Saturday that we're putting the effort in.
"Against Sheffield Wednesday we've got to look to turn that into three points."
Stevenage's equaliser came just over five minutes before the end of Saturday's game after Garry Thompson had handed the hosts the advantage minutes into the second half.
It is the tenth time this term Scunthorpe have dropped points having taken the lead, an issue which leaves them still dangerously close to the relegation zone.
Canavan stressed concentration must be the key if the Iron are to improve their position and prevent a nervy end to the season.
"We weren't overly pleased on Saturday," he said. "But we didn't get beat, so we keep that little run going.
"That is a step forward and a positive but we were still disappointed we didn't take the three points, as it should have been again.
"We've just got to make sure we play for the 95 or whatever minutes it is.
"I thought we did that for the most part against Stevenage, but unfortunately they've nicked one right at the end.
"We've got to move on from that and look to go to tomorrow's game full of confidence and take the game to them."
3 Comments
by AnonTaxPayer
Monday, January 23 2012, 11:51AM
“Profligate.
If you mean tougher in a general sense of a footballing game you are probably correct.
Stevenage on the other hand were without dout one of the most physical sides I have seen in a long time. Their tackling was fierce but fair except that they really followed through the tackle and were close to excessive.
Canavan shielding the ball to out of play but then bundled over by the Stevenage player into the wall. Just one of many examples.
Football is a physical game and something I like to see but not to the extent that Stevenage take it.”
by Oldironfan
Monday, January 23 2012, 10:29AM
“Cannavan looked much more assured on Saturday. Thompson was excellent and Grant looked lively. Walker looks as if he will be a useful midfielder when he beds in. The team performance was much better but the clear problem is that Knill has no options. He must be heartily sick of the endless string of injuries with so many potentially influencial players sitting it out week after week.
Come on lady luck, give us a break!”
by Profligate
Monday, January 23 2012, 9:52AM
“Small consolation but one none the less. We just need to capitalise on being in a winning situation in a game. We seem to throw away an unhealthy amount of games where, like Saturday, we commanded the game. Tomorrow night will be tougher and the only way we can win is not sitting back and go for an all out attack and build on any lead we can get. We need to bite hard as we are slowly getting the teeth now.”