Scunthorpe Utd: Knill admits Iron were poor in both boxes
Manager Alan Knill bemoaned Scunthorpe United's lack of a cutting edge as they crashed to a lacklustre 1-0 defeat at Rochdale last night.
The Iron looked a shadow of the side that outplayed high-flying Sheffield United for long spells at the weekend as they were beaten by Jason Kennedy's second-half strike.
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Headache: Alan Knill has plenty to work on.
Scunthorpe went into the game at Spotland having had more shots on goal than any other side in League One.
But apart from two early efforts and a header from Bobby Grant which was cleared off the line in injury-time, they were a big let down as an attacking unit.
"We did okay, got the ball down, moved it around and had lots of possession, but there wasn't very much at the end of it," admitted a disappointed Knill after the final whistle.
"Really we should be talking about a 0-0, but we're not. We know we've got plenty to work on.
"It was a poor goal for us to concede and we didn't have enough going the other way. We huffed and puffed, but there was very little at the end."
Scunthorpe are still yet to win in the league this season and other results meant they have now slipped into the bottom four.
Knill says his side need to show more urgency than they did against Dale should they go behind if they are to put that record right quickly.
"It was an open game and both keepers made really good saves before it settled down," he observed.
"We had possession, they had possession, but there wasn't much at the end of it.
"I said at half-time that it was going to be one goal that wins it and sure enough it was.
"We want the players to pass it, but if you're losing, you've got to pass it with more urgency than we did and pass it forward. You need to get it in danger areas.
"It's a lesson learned. We're moving the ball around okay, but there has to be something at the end of it."
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by Cordaline
Thursday, September 15 2011, 7:48AM
“What did Knill say prior to the start of the season, "he has every faith in Sam Slocombe" !! if so, why doesn't he play him instead of some kid from Manchester way.”
by ironedout
Wednesday, September 14 2011, 9:07PM
“i agree i'm swopping around because of our 'strikers' but we're going to have to really dig this win out.OK leave Duffy as an impact sub.& play like Rochdale”
by Deereyme
Wednesday, September 14 2011, 9:03PM
“I agree about Dagnell and Grant being too lightweight. Anon, no I didn't miss the goal line clearances, How many were there 2? After they scored, in the final 10 mins? Maybe not quite correct but it all looked a bit desperate. Duffy livened things up no question. Probably should have been on from the start. Rochdale fan I spoke to said we were surprisingly rubbish. I concurred on the rubbish bit. I can see the odd blip now and again this season and we'll pick up a few wins, Grant and Dagnell will score a few goals here and there, but consistency will be a major issue I think.”
by Iron123
Wednesday, September 14 2011, 8:37PM
“Norwood is a class act - I dont think swopping Ryan for Duffy is the answer. We should have gone out and signed a centre forward the week that Robertson broke his ankle - Grant and Dagnall are far too lightweight. No chance of that though - not even a loanee....if the plan is to play wingers (Thompson and Barcham) upfront then we may as well put stumps out and play cricket!
Whats up with OConnor?”
by ironedout
Wednesday, September 14 2011, 8:25PM
“Yes the tempo needed to be higher against Rochdale who played like the away side ( very effectively).I'd start with O'connor on Sat instead of Norwood but maybe contractually we have to play him.Also wouldn't want to sour relationship with Man Ud . Duffy instead of Ryan .”
by AnonTaxPayer
Wednesday, September 14 2011, 4:29PM
“Deereyme.
You certainly live up to your pen name. Did you miss their goal line clearences etc.
Rochdale fan said a draw would have been a fair result.”
by norevlov
Wednesday, September 14 2011, 4:14PM
“Well the facts are facts, we do get more shots on target then any other club in the league which says that we have the oppotunity to score more then any other club but if you look at SOT / Goals then we are way behind. Perhaps this says that we are snapping at our chances too much instead of making them count, i mean i would trade some SOT for goals any day. Maybe a little less urgency is what is needed and more making sure that the oppotunity to score isnt wasted. I have to admit that i am disapointed at the start we have had this season and that this cannot just be down to bad luck but i do fully believe that we wont be in this position come the end of the season and that its just a matter of time before we are back to winning ways.”
by Deereyme
Wednesday, September 14 2011, 3:51PM
“I don't think you were at the same game as me AnonTaxPayer. Build up play was not just slower it was woeful. Terrible passing, no movement, no idea, no urgency, no plan. Still a close result?! On paper maybe. On the pitch it could have been 3 or 4-0 if they'd have taken their chances a bit better. I'm sick of this spin and being told to stop moaning. What does it take for some of you lot to be critical? League status threatening? And norelov, is that a serious question? Come on, it's sarcasm isn't it?”
by norevlov
Wednesday, September 14 2011, 2:48PM
“Regarding the shots on target mentioned above, for your information Scunthorpe are currently top with SOT averaging 8.38 / Game, Preston are 2nd with 7.67 and MK Dons are 3rd with 6.29. On the opposite side last is Wycombe with 3.00 / Game then Exeter with 3.13 and Sheffield Weds with 3.50.
Being that we are top by a margin are we being unlucky or has the finishing just not quite got enough quality in it?”
by AnonTaxPayer
Wednesday, September 14 2011, 1:54PM
“Our build up was slower than usual which gave the Rochdale players plenty of time to get behing the ball but still a close result game.”