United striker Bobby Grant believes he has become a better player under the stewardship of the current management.

Having worked his way into the first-team, the Iron's top scorer says he has benefited from the guidance of manager Alan Knill and his staff.

"I started the season on the bench and the gaffer's given me a lot of confidence," said Grant.

"He's given me a run in the team and hopefully I'm paying him back.

"I did set myself a goals target, but I'm not going to say what it is because if I don't reach it or if I have already reached it, then people might start commenting.

"I set it with Chris Brass (assistant manager).

"He said to me, I want this by Christmas and I want that, hopefully I can do it for him.

"I think I've progressed and I think that goes down to the gaffer, Chris Brass and Neil Cutler (goalkeeping coach).

"They work with me every day in training.

"Whenever I need to knock on their door I feel comfortable doing that.

"They give me a lot of advice.

"I know what they think I need to do with my game. When people like that talk to you, you've got to listen, especially with myself being a young lad learning the game.

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"I'm always wanting to learn and the gaffer's got a lot of time and so has Chris Brass to teach me how to do it."

This time last year Grant found himself on loan at Rochdale.

While he admits it was 'frustrating' to return to a place among the substitutes at United, he feels 2011 has been a year of personal progression.

"I'm a young lad, I've had good times, I've had bad times. I'm starting to get those good times back," he said.

"Obviously you need to get results, but for me personally, I'm starting to enjoy it again.

"I've worked with the gaffer and his team, and my team-mates have helped me a lot. I think I am a better player now.

"Obviously the results haven't been there, but I do think I'm more improved than when I first came here."