Manager Alan Knill has vowed he will never 'seek assurances' about his position at Scunthorpe United – despite growing unrest from fans about the club's current plight.

The Iron enter Christmas in 20th place in League One, a point and a single place above the relegation zone, on the back of relegation from the Championship at the end of last season.

They have won only three league matches so far this term – their fewest number of victories in the opening half of a season in 30 years.

And while it is clear Knill needs time to make his mark with the Iron going through a transitional period, supporters appear to be letting their feet do the talking, with a crowd of less than 3,700 watching their injury-time defeat to Carlisle United a fortnight ago.

That is the lowest league attendance at Glanford Park since March 2009.

It makes two home fixtures in six days, against Bury on Boxing Day and Chesterfield on New Year's Eve, crucial towards setting up a brighter second half of the campaign.

Not that the 47-year-old former Bury chief is looking for a vote of confidence from any quarters.

"We all know it takes time," Knill told the Telegraph, when asked whether he had been given any assurances about his position from the United hierarchy.

"Whether I'll get time here is not a question for me, it's a question for somebody else.

"But I don't seek assurances about my job.

"I know what I do and my track record is good, whether it be coaching or developing players and also winning games.

"It does take time, not necessarily to put your stamp on things, but to get that right blend in a squad.

"You can speculate about my position, I'd rather just get on with what I do."

There is a bullishness about Knill which suggests if he is a man under pressure, he does not feel it.

Defender Niall Canavan is adamant there are no signs of stress in the United manager's day to day work around the club, just a desire to put right the wrongs of a turbulent first four months of the campaign.

They are wrongs for which the Iron centre-back says he and his colleagues must share as much of the blame.

"If the fans still see him as being under pressure, I don't think it's really perceived that way," he said.

"He doesn't give off the impression of someone under pressure, especially at the weekend, before the game.

"I think it's just a case of everyone looking to pull together and move on from this situation we're in at the minute, which is one that we don't want to be in.

"It's his job to be there and make decisions so he's undoubtedly going to get some pressure from somewhere.

"Sometimes I think it's a bit unfair because we as players carry some of the responsibility as well.

"He can only give us instructions to take out, and if we don't carry them out, we can take the flak.

"It's part and parcel of the job so I guess it's kind of take it with a pinch of salt sometimes or just block it out.

"Regardless of what's going on, you've just got to get on with your job."