WHEN Scunthorpe United last entertained Preston North End, they did anything but for their own fans.

Woeful from start to finish, the Iron were humbled 3-0 just when they needed a result to ease the pressure on beleaguered boss Ian Baraclough.

Their direct football had long frustrated supporters, to the point of boredom, throughout a campaign which ultimately ended in relegation.

That damaging defeat against the Deepdale outfit on a dark March evening condemned Baraclough to the sack, chairman Steve Wharton weary of United's lacklustre play.

Alan Knill entered, promising a return to the buccaneering style of play Scunthorpe were well known, and praised, for.

For the sake of symmetry, the Glanford Park faithful will find out just how far their team has developed when the Lilywhites once again return to North Lincolnshire today.

And, insists Garry Thompson, there will be no return to the hoof ball tactics of the bad old days as long as Knill holds authority.

"I am good in the air but it will never be an option for the gaffer to just say 'put it on Thommo's head'," he said.

"That is not how we play.

"We are a footballing team, which we have proven from the back end of last season, through pre-season and into the games we have had so far.

"We don't like to lump it and that will continue whether I am in or out of the team.

"It might call for it when the pitches get a bit sticky, but while the pitches are firm we are a passing team.

"Everyone is comfortable on the ball – we are never going to be a long ball team.

"With our passing game, it might not work for an hour but you only need that one opportunity.

"That is what we are about, repetition – doing the things that we know we can do right and keep doing that."

That should provide a different outcome to the last time Preston were in town.

"We just didn't turn up. Preston were really good to be honest," added the 30-year-old of the game.

"We got punished but that won't be the case this time.

"It will be two teams coming down, both trying to prove they have overcome that hurdle of relegation and are getting back on track.

"We have got a tough month with the teams we are playing.

"But we are confident of beating anyone at home and that starts against Preston."

The very fact that United's number 11 can discuss such footballing matters as a result of his re-introduction into the side following injury, is a personal triumph of sorts.

After a first start in eight months against Accrington Stanley on Tuesday, any suggestion the former Morecambe star has been counting the days is confirmed by the speed of his answer when asked how long it had been on the sidelines.

"I think that was my first start since January 3, at home to Watford," declared Thompson, quickly.

"It sticks in my mind because it was the last time I started.

"It has been a long time coming, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and long may that continue."

With Jordan Robertson struggling, a second start of the campaign could come as quickly as today.

If it does, Thompson insists it will not be accompanied by any thoughts of when or if he may break down again through injury.

"I have had a full pre-season and been involved in two games so it has been good," he continued.

"People in passing have asked me 'do you think you are going to get back to your best?'

"Anybody who was the game on Tuesday will have seen that I am back to how I was.

"When you have been out that long it is a justifiable question.

"But I always knew it was a case of stepping out, having the operation and then working hard in pre-season.

"I am back to my normal self but I just need a goal."

Whereas the Cumbrian has his own objectives, his team seem set on returning to the Championship.

There will be few occasions the Iron go into games as the underdogs this season, unlike, if you believe the bookmakers, the chase for promotion.

United are ranked slim outsiders for the top six, but Thompson feels that could work in their favour.

"We kind of like the fact we don't get looked at," he concluded.

"We have always been the massive underdog.

"When I signed, no-one thought we would get promoted from League One and look at the season we had. The season after in the Championship, everyone expected us to come down.

"We play Preston, Oldham, and then we have got Charlton and Sheffield Wednesday.

"The last two, both away from home, if we can get a good result from them, hopefully people will start taking us into consideration.

"We have got a really good squad here, I am excited for how well this team can do.

"We are happy to get our heads down, keep working hard and whatever happens, happens.

"Hopefully that will be another promotion."