Scunthorpe Utd: 'Infectious' Beast impresses Knill on his Iron debut

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Thursday, February 16, 2012
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Scunthorpe Telegraph

Striker Jon Parkin has all the hallmarks to prove a ‘great signing’ for Scunthorpe United, according to his new manager.

The on-loan Cardiff City front man made his long-awaited debut for the Iron on Tuesday night, helping the club to a vital 1-0 victory against Rochdale, a result which lifted them out

of League One’s bottom four.

Nicknamed ‘The Beast’, the Yorkshireman impressed against Dale, with his power and presence offering United strength in attack.

Yet despite those qualities, and some startling skills, it was Parkin’s work rate which has most pleased Knill.

“He’s got a great work ethic – and that’s infectious,” the Iron boss enthused.

“Second half, when Jon makes a tackle, he goes and presses and then others follow his lead.

“That’s why he’s played at every level and been good at every level. He’s having a good career.

“He has some attributes, but they are a waste of time without the work ethic and team ethic he has.

“He brings a lot to the team and a lot to the dressing room and football club.

“We’re delighted to have him.”

Parkin’s willingness to work was typified in the closing moments of Scunthorpe’s midweek win, which was only their fifth three-point haul of the campaign.

With fellow debutant Jamie Reckord caught upfield, the much-travelled striker, already clearly running on empty, scampered back the full length of the field to provide back-up at the back – before then bending over, hands on knees, to gather his breath.

“We thought about taking him off, but he really needs a full game,” added Knill.

“And I thought Jon came more and more into the game and got stronger.

“I was delighted with him. He is exactly what we expected.

“He pleases the crowd and the staff and the players because he does his job really well.

“He holds the ball up and brings others into play and his desire to get the ball back was as good as anyone on the pitch on Tuesday.

“He’s going to be a great signing for us.”

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14 Comments

  • Profile image for thorpe27

    by thorpe27

    Monday, February 20 2012, 8:29AM

    “Congratulations on your homework pass. Next week we will be discussing irony and how it affects human behaviour. Kind regards, S.Fry.”

  • Profile image for J20112011

    by J20112011

    Sunday, February 19 2012, 3:27PM

    “Thorpe you clown, stick to football not grammar, and put a 'v' in obviously, you dip stick.”

  • Profile image for thorpe27

    by thorpe27

    Sunday, February 19 2012, 9:43AM

    “Dear P.Stoff. Bad grammar constantly through your last posting. My my, you obiously don't function at that time in the morning. God forbid you becoming a critic with a deadline to meet.”

  • Profile image for PStoff

    by PStoff

    Sunday, February 19 2012, 8:18AM

    “If you have misplaced negativity I agree with you. Unfortunately you have to gleam what is going on from afar whilst we witness it first hand. We should not be where we are, we should not have the possibility of relegation.

    We was a Championship side last season and we should be top half of the table. If were were there would not be so much negativity about (and believe me away from these pages there is plenty of it).

    Yes, two wins are very good BUT it could easily still go wrong without the points buffer we SHOULD have. It is called being a realist and if all my ranting does is make people realise then I am happy to carry on pointing realism out.

    I am pleased we are on a winning streak, it is delicate and due to very recent signings BUT problems have not gone away and we need to keep Parkin to stand any chance of survival as he has transformed a very poor team into a one with glimmers of hope.”

  • Profile image for Aussieiron

    by Aussieiron

    Saturday, February 18 2012, 10:26PM

    “Mr Stoff, there are times when I agree with your comments and times when I shake my head in dsibelief. This is one of them. Man get a grip and cheer up, take the 3 points and celebrate a win that might start a ball rolling. SOOOO much negativity is bad for the mind and spirit.
    UTI”

  • Profile image for justicejohn

    by justicejohn

    Saturday, February 18 2012, 12:03PM

    “A number of the squad assure me tha Oconnor is very handy in goal should he be needed,so we can name 3 replacement forwards. UP THE IRON 3 POINTS TODAY PLEASE”

  • Profile image for Oldironfan

    by Oldironfan

    Saturday, February 18 2012, 10:28AM

    “Lets us all at least agree that Parkin was a terrific Man of the Match. I'm sure we can also agree that Tuesday night was a gritty performance. Equally we need to accept that it was a scrappy game against fellow strugglers who had nothing much to offer in the final third.

    The new look squad is going to take a bit of time to gel but we now have viable options on the bench which we have not had for some time. We have a lot of games coming up that are against poor or very average teams. AK seems to be adopting a very aggressive stance by not using Lillis as a sub aginst this type of opposition. I hope he doesn't look back on that with regret.

    I would suggest that 5pm on Sat 25th of February is a good time to exchange views on how our season is likely to unfold.”

  • Profile image for PStoff

    by PStoff

    Friday, February 17 2012, 5:37PM

    “It was indeed Mozika but did he look ready to you. He looked miles off to me. He was there to appease not to play. Parkin has only signed for a month so we can't speculate he will stay, we can only hope but as it stands he has just over a week to do some good for us. Get a grip Villairon. Also did you see a team and a performance the other night that would have beaten a better club than Rochdale? I didn't. Your chairmanship of the OSC is effecting your judgement.”

  • Profile image for Mr_G_

    by Mr_G_

    Friday, February 17 2012, 4:09PM

    “Have to agree Ironite. Keep him till May - a great addition to the club and had the crowd buzzing on tuesday. Push for that mid table. Get rid of a few in the summer and form a new team around Mozika, Barcham, Ryan, Jennings, Robertson (extend his contract)

    Pstoff - new signings and time to gel better as a team, first match for alot of them in months.
    As for Mozika - 'dont hold your breath .... coming back in the near future...' has he not been on the bench and returning to fitness, did he not make a return on tuesday - or was that someone else.
    And if you do in fact know so much more then us then please enlighten the so called 'happy clappers' or are you worried that like countless times before hand you once again will mouth off and be proved wrong??

    The fact is players are returning the team is taking shape and 3points is 3 points despite how it was achieved”

  • Profile image for norevlov

    by norevlov

    Friday, February 17 2012, 1:46PM

    “Well I for one would love to see Parkin signed until the end of the season or better yet permanently!”

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