Having been given licence to push forward himself, Sam Togwell hopes to do the same for Scunthorpe United.

The Iron skipper believes he is developing into a better all-round midfielder as a result of Alan Knill's arrival in the Glanford Park dugout and is relishing the challenge of being involved in both halves of the pitch.

Signed from Barnsley three years ago, then manager Nigel Adkins said the 26-year-old arrived in North Lincolnshire with the nickname 'Dogwell' for his terrier-like displays in the middle of the park.

Togwell though, is fast turning into ball-player as much as ball-winner as part of a new-look three-man Scunthorpe midfield alongside Damien Mozika and Oliver Norwood.

And the former Crystal Palace trainee – one of only four players to start all of the club's eight league matches this season – insists he is thriving on the extra responsibility.

"Out of the midfield, I'm the only one that's been permanently in there. I'm pleased with that," he told the Telegraph ahead of today's trip to Walsall, where the Iron will look to end their longest winless run at the start of a season for 37 years.

"I've picked up three bookings, but that's always going to happen with the way I play.

"Since Damien has come in, he's helped out with the tackling side of things. It's not always just me flying in now.

"I'm getting on the ball more because I've got the confidence from the management to do that.

"I can do it, but in previous years I've never really had that confidence in me from the manager to play that role. I've been a ball winner and told do keep it simple.

"But I know I can play and I've been told to do it this season. I think I've done it well."

With the Iron currently going through a period of change as Knill makes his own mark on the Scunthorpe squad, Togwell has been one of few constants.

Six of United's starting XI during last weekend's 1-1 draw with Sheffield United were players brought to the club after the former Bury boss was confirmed as Ian Baraclough's successor in April.

High profile victims of that makeover include defender Michael Nelson, who has failed to even make the bench following the arrival of Everton rookie Shane Duffy, and Garry Thompson, though he is still yet to prove his fitness after missing the majority of last season through injury.

The amount of game time, coupled with the decision to hand him the skipper's armband while club captain Cliff Byrne continues to be sidelined, show Togwell is at the forefront of Knill's thinking.

And he aims to repay that faith by driving United forward on the field and helping them start to turn some largely decent performances into points when they visit the Banks's Stadium today.

"It's a great feeling to know that you're wanted, not just as a footballer, but in any job," Togwell continued.

"My performances are dictating that I'm playing. If I don't play well, I'm sure I won't be in the middle and that's how it should be.

"I'm playing well and long may it continue.

"Hopefully I can drive us forward to what everybody at this club wants.

"There are a lot of permutations in midfield now, it's one of the most competitive positions at the club.

"We've got the quality of Mickey O'Connor and Mark Duffy sitting on the bench. They are both itching to play.

"At the moment they can't get on the pitch, which is a shame. But the players out there at the moment are doing everything they can.

"In the last couple of games I've been the second oldest player on the pitch at 26.

"I suppose my role has changed a bit in terms of leadership on the pitch, off it it hasn't because everyone has got their own routines and preparation, though I'll help if they need it.

"I'm trying to put an arm around some people and have a go at others, in the right way, if it needs to be done for them to get better.

"I think I'm doing that, because I want the team to carry on going forward."

Given the number of changes in personnel, Togwell has been pleased with the way the Iron are gelling as a unit – both on and off the field.

Although disappointing during Tuesday's single-goal defeat at Rochdale, against another side struggling to get out of the starting blocks, the United skipper believes there is plenty of potential in a midfield three.

"It's a case of getting to know people, how they play and where they want the ball," he said of the potential difficulties of having a new-look squad.

"But it's coming and one team sooner or later is going to take a beating. Hopefully that happens sooner rather than later.

"They say football is a game for all nationalities, you can pass the ball without really needing to speak.

"We're gelling, playing positive football and creating chances.

"The stats prove we've had the most shots on and off target and we've hit the woodwork plenty of times as well.

"We're doing something right at the top end, without getting the ball in the back of the net.

"Winning can become a habit and once you get one, you're on a run to hopefully getting more."