Scunthorpe Utd: Critics must cut Bobby Grant some slack if Iron are to prosper
Alan Knill says the Iron's Bobby Grant has 'a really good future' in football, yet fans continue to question whether the nine-goal striker should even be in the team. CHRIS SUMPTER profiles why Scunthorpe's top scorer breeds such differing opinions.
A few weeks ago Bobby Grant joined the Mayor of North Lincolnshire and Father Christmas to switch on Scunthorpe's Christmas lights.
-
Bobby Grant celebrates with Chris Dagnall, but though he's learned out how to find the net at Scunthorpe United, winning over fans has not been so easy.
It is not the only button he has pushed this season.
Yet despite having seemingly established himself as Scunthorpe United's top striker, albeit in a season not always high on attacking talent, rarely has a player polarised opinion between a club and its fans.
A goalscorer has been the cornerstone on which the Iron have built their success throughout the years.
Be it the coolness of Steve Cammack, Billy Sharp's sharpness or the all-round ability of Gary Hooper, it is a department in which, through good business or good fortune, Scunthorpe have been blessed.
Yet although having notched nine times before the current campaign has even reached the halfway stage, Grant is unlikely to be afforded that trio's hero status.
At present, that is fair.
Such hyperbole can only be applied when he has proved himself over a much longer period of time.
Even so, there seems to be an inexplicable lack of likeability towards the Liverpudlian from the terraces.
One potential reason for such apathy could be because relations between the club as a whole and supporters have become increasingly strained on the back of a wretched past 18 months, especially when it comes to results at Glanford Park.
Those kind of troubles don't lend themselves to a Roy of the Rovers storyline.
But remove the ignorance and listen to voices outside of United and you get a much different slant.
The most audible came from former Premier League referee Jeff Winter, who watched Grant's two goals knock Hartlepool United out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy earlier in the campaign.
"He looks like the sort of player who could perform in the Championship at the very least," he enthused.
"If Hartlepool United had a Bobby Grant in their ranks, they'd be looking at a very successful season."
Iron fans would be well within their rights to take umbrage with the first comment - given Grant's failure to score a single goal during his season in the second tier.
Some would question the same about League One.
The facts though, don't back-up that theory.
It is almost with a vow of silence Knill believes Grant has come to within a whisker of notching double figures this term, given the Iron boss says the former Accrington ace has reached nine goals 'without anyone taking any notice'.
He is certainly never afraid to try his luck – sometimes to the team's detriment. But how often do you see an unselfish goalscorer?
Only four players in League One have had more efforts on goal than Grant. Two of them are the third tier's most prolific scorers – Jordan Rhodes, of Huddersfield, and Charlton's Bradley Wright-Phillips.
Such is Knill's penchant for Grant, he took a recent question asking whether the player had the potential to become the club's next 20-goal striker as a sudden change in public perception.
"You weren't saying that last week," he responded, gruffly.
"Let's be consistent."
Ironic, given that's probably the biggest facet missing from the enthusiastic Scouser's game.
Much like his team-mates this term, Grant has had the potential to delight and frustrate in equal measure.
For every moment of long-range brilliance, a sitter from six yards is squandered or there is a potentially costly out-pouring of petulance.
His sending off for a second booking against Colchester in September was costly and he was skating on very thin ice at Notts County a fortnight ago when shown yellow for being in the thick of a 13-man melee following Oli Norwood's red card.
Aggression is a key component of what Knill wants from his players, but with Grant he clearly has to channel it into the right situations.
Opportunism has perhaps been the striker's most notable quality, witnessed with his cracking curler against Tranmere Rovers at the end of October.
But therein could lie one of the problems.
Iron fan Dan Shaw tweeted me this week on the subject, saying: "I really like him, but I think he may be a scorer of great goals, rather than a great goalscorer."
An interesting analogy.
Yet the positioning, timing and direction of Grant's second-half header at Notts County last week suggests he can be equally at home inside the box as on the edge of it.
"Whenever I work with Bobby, I think there's such a good player in there – but it does need tuning," says Knill of a player he knew well from when he was scoring regularly for Stanley.
"I think he can score more than nine and if he can calm himself down and make his all round game better, there's a really good player in Bobby.
"The good thing about him is he is so keen to learn and work. I think he's got a really good future in front of him because he's got a work ethic first.
"We just need to hone those skills to make his all round game better."
Finding the right strike partner will be essential to that process.
The majority of the campaign he has been paired with Chris Dagnall, but the duo are strikingly similar in physical stature and too often drop deep to leave the opposition penalty area deserted.
Nicky Ajose, for all the pre-arrival promise, has struggled for confidence and to live up to expectations, while Jordan Robertson has been sidelined for three months by a broken ankle, though is at least well on the way to a return to full fitness.
Arguably, the most fruitful a forward line has looked this term was at Meadow Lane last time out, where Garry Thompson's strength provided the perfect foil.
Based on previous inconsistencies, Knill is no more than 'hopeful' that the duo can strike a successful partnership – which is likely to continue against Carlisle United this afternoon.
If not, Grant will be charged with pushing the buttons – even if they end up not always being the right ones.
This article was first published in Thursday's Scunthorpe Telegraph.
20 Comments
View all
by Deereyme
Friday, December 16 2011, 9:13PM
“The salient points are mostly mine ;)”
by EddieMurphy
Thursday, December 15 2011, 10:28AM
“Shame you can't "like" posts on here, because once the mud-slinging stops there are some very salient points made. Unfortunately, any suggestion that the club might actually address the despairs of the supporters by commenting on the current situation is mere fantasy. Brace yourselves for sub-3,000 attendances in the not-too-distant.”
by Deereyme
Wednesday, December 14 2011, 11:39PM
“I wish I could feel confident in saying 'okay, let's see what happens when the injured start coming back', but deep down I'm convinced that's not the cause. Injuries aside, the players out on the pitch should, be making a better fist of this season than we're currently witnessing. And yet, I, and the majority, I would profer, are losing patience with Knill and what he appears to be doing. I wouldn't advocate ousting him yet, but perhaps he needs more managerial support, beacuse he's losing the fans and dressing room at an alarming rate. How long to give him before it's too late and we move yet another step further to our worst nightmare and its denouement and we're in a relegation battle in league 2? I would put it to the majority of the players that they are not remotely interested in what that means to every stakeholder in the club. We are crying out for a Cliff Byrne type character in the absence of a fit Cliff Byrne. But we shouldn't have to rely him so much for this, it really isn't fair. They should be more accountable. Knill and Brass have to make them accountable and I'm sure it's not for wont of trying. If I was Wharton I would suggest to Knill that he needs managerial support right now and be willing to pay to provide it. Get him to think long and hard about who he could turn to and draft in to help. That's as far as I go with suggesting anything that could sort out this mess and it might go even go more pear shaped as a result, but it must be worth a consideration at least?”
by xcahoot
Wednesday, December 14 2011, 5:29PM
“I can,t really argue with either of you.
Fair comment.
I still feel "we" as a club will rise steadily to mid table .
The injuries in my mind are the cause of the problem .”
by Deereyme
Wednesday, December 14 2011, 4:20PM
“xcahoot, you really are presumptious. I've not abused players, nor do I intend to. As for 'Brains Trust', there you go again resorting to abuse because you can't win an argument on paper. I wouldn't expect you to see the irony therein. I've never stated my comments would help the club. I'm not that arrogant, believe it or not. I can't speak for you though. My comments are an expression of my utter despair. I'm a long paying supporter and Scunthorpe United FC are very dear to my life and heart. I have every right to complain in this arena where it might be seen by the club and players. That doesn't mean I should be expected to have answers to this plight. If I had thought I had the answers I would have gone for a career in football and club management. I'm not sure how your stance is meant to help the club. If I was one of the players or club officials and read more views like yours I would presume people weren't that bothered because at the end of the day, come success or failure, the fans will back you anyway. Look at the dwindling gates and the failed attempt to bring back supporters with reduced admission. They're voting with their feet because they are sick of it and I'm sick that we're losing them, but I respect and understand their right to turn away. Wouldn't do it myself but I respect their right. Before I get accused of taking this too seriously and that I should calm down, forget it, this is the worst crisis I've witnessed since the late '70's. I'll continue to take this seriously until there is light at the end of the tunnel. Last thing is, I read your post correctly. Perhaps you didn't convey your thoughts adequately?”
by PStoff
Wednesday, December 14 2011, 10:37AM
“If we can't let the players know how we feel then we will end up having to accept what they offer us. Why is it that in any other employment people can be told to buck their ideas up but not footballers?
How anyone can be positive with what we are being dealt at the moment is beyond me. Don't come the ickle club rubbish on here - we have a team, they are professional players but they just aren't bothered. Nothing to do with wages they are getting paid. The limited finances we have are not being spent wisely at the moment because we have a handful of wasters dragging the rest of the team down.”
by xcahoot
Tuesday, December 13 2011, 8:49PM
“So tell me brains trust .
What do you suggest . In words what would you do ? feel free to explain .
Do you really think you are helping the club with your negative comments.
I think we probably want the same thing , results.
That aside we are poles apart.
Abusing players verbally is really going to help ! [I don,t think]
We are a small town club with limited finances.
That should not suppress our desires but you have to stay in touch with reality.
Had you read the post correctly it is meant to be a light hearted jibe
from over fifty years ago”
by Deereyme
Tuesday, December 13 2011, 8:09PM
“Apologies, that reply was to xcahoot.”
by Deereyme
Tuesday, December 13 2011, 8:08PM
“Complete gibberish again I see. The problem with people like you is you are incapable of entering in to meaningful debate without resorting to abuse so it's a waste of time trying. Where is 'Scunnie' anyway? Is it in Scotland? 'Scunny', I know where that is. You are so blind you proclaim we are not yet going to face relegation. What planet are you on? That aside, no one with any amount of intelligence cares who you have fought with one hand tied behind your back at the OSG, or Glanford Park for that matter. You are not doing the Blind Optimist Brigade any favours you know. I await being called a 'frock' or something equally clever. Hopefully you'll get yourself banned from here and give people with a sense of reality something to cheer about. Go ahead, make my day.”
by brumbyOiron
Tuesday, December 13 2011, 7:05PM
“to me Grant isn't doing so bad for his first season as a regular, he just lacks that ability Sharp /Cammack/ etc had to hold the ball up. I think a spell out on the wing occasionally or the odd game starting on the bench and coming on as an impact player now and again might help him. The issue is we have no one else better out there to play up front at the moment. Thompson looks if not unfit then out of touch, Dagnall runs his socks off, but with little purpose, so maybe Robertson? ... not convinced he'S fit either yet, and Ajose can't trap a dead mouse unfortunately despite what he might have been last year.”