Scunthorpe Utd: Iron ready for culture shock on visit to Accrington

MANAGER Alan Knill has warned his players to be ready for a culture shock when Scunthorpe United pay their first ever visit to Accrington Stanley's Crown Ground in the first round of the Carling Cup tonight.

But he is also demanding some better consistency from them as he looks to make progress in the competition.

CAUTIOUS: Iron manager Alan Knill (far right) does not want to push star midfielder Michael O’Connor too much too quickly.

The East Lancashire club's ground is one of the smallest in the Football League, with a capacity of only just over 5,000.

"It is probably one of the toughest places to go and play," confessed Knill.

"The surroundings aren't the greatest and the first thing that hits you is a kind of negativity about the place for any team arriving there.

"You have to get over that – and then, when you get on the pitch, be ready for a game because Accrington can compete.

"They have some really talented players and last year were one of the best footballing teams in League Two."

But it's how his own team performs that holds the key for Knill.

He knows, in his short time at Glanford Park, that consistency has always been lacking.

"We will follow a really good performance with a poor one," explained the Iron boss.

"To be honest, if we could have strung two performances together at the end of last season, we would have given ourselves a chance of staying up – but we couldn't."

Knill was delighted with United's performance in their 1-1 draw at Wycombe in the opening game of the new season on Saturday, and wants the same again tonight.

"I don't expect us to be brilliant every week, but I do expect us to compete every week," he insisted.

"This is the next game and I want us to win it.

"The Carling Cup offers the smaller clubs like ourselves the opportunity to earn some money.

"The further you go, the more money you can make and the more money you make, then hopefully you can add more players to your squad and make it stronger.

"I want more competition for places here at Scunthorpe.

"I don't want anyone to feel comfortable in their position."

Knill is likely to name his strongest squad for tonight's game.

"I am not someone who likes to make changes," he insisted.

His biggest selection dilemma is whether to keep playmaker Michael O'Connor in the team.

"We will see how he is. It's down to him because he knows his body best and how he is feeling," concluded Knill.