CONFIDENT keeper Josh Lillis insists there is no relegation hangover at Glanford Park – despite some lacklustre pre-season performances.

Operating with a smaller playing budget than last season and having seen several first-teamers move on during the summer, the Iron are undergoing a transitional period as a result of finishing bottom of the Championship last term.

But Lillis says what went on in 2010/11 can not be used as an excuse for some largely sluggish friendly displays, the latest of which came in Sunday's Lincolnshire Senior Cup exit at Lincoln City.

"There's not been much chat at all about last season, which is what you want. I've not heard one person mention it," United's new number one told the Telegraph.

"Although the new management team came in last season, it was towards the end of the season and we've had a lot of new faces because there were a lot of loanees here last year.

"Last season has been and gone and the lads who have been here have got over it.

"On Sunday we just weren't on our game – but we've got two weeks left to change that.

"It was very disappointing, but there's no hangover there."

Despite revealing a lack of confidence is not an issue in the dressing room, Lillis accepts the availability of some much-needed creativity is.

Michael O'Connor remains sidelined by a knee injury and former Accrington Stanley ace Jimmy Ryan is yet to really show his class after sitting out his side's last two pre-season workouts because of a tight groin.

With several players currently on trial at Glanford Park, the United keeper is hopeful that problem will be addressed.

"The gaffer has said he's going to bring in a couple of new faces which will hopefully help us," Lillis continued.

"We need a bit more creativity going forward. The players we've got can do it, but I'm sure if he does bring in new faces it will be better for us.

"Last season was a bad season, but they're all good players.

"In training we've been working really hard.

"We'd like it to come together quicker than it is doing, but it is coming together. There's still plenty of time left."

Lillis acknowledged the Iron have been 'hit and miss' so far during pre-season, which continues with a trip to the Don Valley Stadium to face League Two side Rotherham United tomorrow.

But he remains confident they can eradicate mistakes and be ready for their League One opener at Wycombe Wanderers a week on Saturday – providing they learn the lessons from the game at Lincoln.

Lillis added: "We had a lot of possession at Lincoln, the centre-halves were passing the ball into midfield, then it was getting moved out wide, but by the time we've got it up there we've allowed them to get a lot of bodies behind the ball.

"It was the same in the game at Halifax (a 1-0 defeat).

"We had a good chat during half-time at Lincoln and another at the end of the game about what we need to do.

"We'll make sure when it comes to League One we'll perform better than we have done.

"We should take a leaf out of their book the way they worked to press us off the ball.

"When they had possession, we gave them a bit too much time on the ball and were a bit lacklustre.

"I don't know what it was down to, but it's not going to happen again."