Stopping goals must come before scoring says Iron boss Knill
ALAN Knill maintains his belief that Scunthorpe United will play exciting, attacking football during his time in charge at Glanford Park.
But in the short term, he accepts Saturday's eye-opening 6-0 defeat at Norwich City means he may have to change tack.
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DETERMINED: Alan Knill.
Knill started his first full week at the Iron helm out on the training ground yesterday, attempting to right some of the wrongs which mean United prop up the rest of the division.
He is now calling on his players to stand up and be counted – and prove they have the work-rate to meet his high demands.
"I've always found that the more you hide and the more you run away from the ball, the more you're going to get beaten by," said Knill after the defeat at Carrow Road, Scunthorpe's worst scoreline for 10 years.
"Obviously I want to be able to get the ball and pass it around the pitch, but the other side of being organised and having a desire to stop goals is paramount first.
"I want to play attacking football.
"It's difficult to say whether I've got the players to do that.
"The shape we started with at Norwich is not a shape that I really play with, but the lads thought it would do well."
Having seen his side ripped apart by second-placed Norwich, Knill is now preparing the Iron for a home game with leaders QPR on Saturday.
Regardless of their position in the table, he expects a much-improved work-rate than at Carrow Road.
“It takes time (to make an impact), it really does. The unfortunate thing is we’ve only got seven games left,” the former Bury boss added.
“It’s going to take a lot of time and a lot of work and then we’ll see.
“I said to the players after the game, I’m willing to work extremely hard to make them better.
“But I have to have them with me.
“I’m expecting a reaction and I’m expecting a will to work.
“If we get that, there’ll be no comebacks from me.
“My idea of coming to Scunthorpe is long term, not short term.
“Don’t get me wrong, I want them to stay up, I really do, but I was taking over in a really difficult position, especially with the fixtures.
“When you look at the fixtures, you think, ‘ugh, I’m not sure whether I’ve made the right decision’, but I took that on and I’m happy to have taken it on.”
United’s reserve match against Gateshead this afternoon (2pm) has been moved to Brigg Town’s Hawthorns ground to try to preserve the Glanford Park pitch.
The next time the first team play on that surface is on Saturday, when they entertain QPR.
For the game, the club have cut ticket prices for Knill’s first home game in charge to £10 for adults in all areas, with concessions £7 and all under-16s £1.
United have offered professional terms to four youth trainees – goalkeeper Jake Turner, centre back Ashley Palmer and strikers Jordan Thewlis and Aron Wint.
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by Hedonist Puncture, In the hole
Wednesday, April 06 2011, 4:00PM
“Ramon instead of Dagnell, Sid. Dagnell has to play further up, if at all.”
by Dan, Scunny
Tuesday, April 05 2011, 6:21PM
“Didn't Bara say the same was going to happen in January (About getting rid of the deadwood). ITs all very well gettig rid but its getting people in. LIke Knill and he is my first choice but going to need a lot of work especially in our defence.”
by Alan Stead, VC
Tuesday, April 05 2011, 4:46PM
“BE LUCKY!”
by Sid James, Carry on Iron
Tuesday, April 05 2011, 4:09PM
“We've had Dagnall dropping deep all season (half way line) so hopefully Knill won't go with a 1+1 upfront.
Can't judge the manager this season as he's inherited an abysmal squad thanks to Wharton, Adkins (yes he made some garbage signings and told us Forte was the answer) and Baraclot. Hopefully the Chairman will back him in the summer and if we could put up (allegedly!) £600k for Salmon we can do that this summer. If he had invested like that last summer we'd have been sitting pretty now, instead of the supporters having to witness one of the most abject, depressing season's I can ever remember.”
by Hedonist Puncture, On the pitch sowing seeds
Tuesday, April 05 2011, 3:43PM
“Knill said before the game that he would not be involved with the shape of the team. Daws and Turnbull were the boys who organised that, not Knill.
Knill is a 4-4-2 man, playing an Italian style midfield. I prefer that too, so I'm looking forward to seeing how well he can set up. I prefer a 1+1 rather than 2 up top, but maybe one of them will have to drop deeper anyway in order to pick up the ball.
We are all but down this season, so next year's goal must be a top 6 finish. Give him time to sort things out, as one season is likely not to be long enough. As long as we don't sink again, he will have time to hopefully turn it and push for the Championship.”
by percy, pied piper
Tuesday, April 05 2011, 3:05PM
“knill will keep us up and then u will all say he is a god”
by Mike, Bury
Tuesday, April 05 2011, 1:28PM
“You will be just fine once you have made the essential signings in the summer and cleared out all of the dead wood.This manager prides himself in keeping clean sheets and defence is going to be key next season because league 1 is a tough league and it won't be as easy as last time.I remember Knilly watching his first game for Bury fc we lost 5-1 at home to Mk Dons he was probably in the same mind set as on saturday?,why did i come here why did i leave Bury fc?.It's the long term picture you have to look at not the first few results.Good managers don't become bad managers overnight,however i think he might be out of his depth here.I don't agree with Windybum's comments last night on THE LATE SHOW" that he had to leave Bury with due respect they are a smaller club",that is nonesense.History supports that we are probably level in terms of achievements over our 100 plus years of history.”
by luke, asia, asia
Tuesday, April 05 2011, 1:25PM
“Chris,
Agree with rainman, give the guy a break, he did not pick the side or the formation at Norwich. He is probably indicating that this Saturday for QPR he is going to change the formation around.
Don't think Knill is one to be bossed by his players.
As for attack being the best form of defense, wasn't that the philosophy at Norwich? Those were the vibes I was hearing before the game and look what happened.
I am not saying stick everyone behind the ball and sit back, but there are more than one ways to skin a cat. Most goals are scored from stealing possession and hitting on the break when the opposition are out of position and disorganized i.e. Germany v England 2010.”
by RainMan999, London
Tuesday, April 05 2011, 12:54PM
“Chris
As far as I know, Daws picked the team (and presumably the shape) for the Norwich game, so for knill to say
"The shape we started with at Norwich is not a shape that I really play with, but the lads thought it would do well."
is probably acceptable”
by Kez, Scunny
Tuesday, April 05 2011, 12:14PM
“I see they have finally seen sense and are playing reserve games elsewhere be it Brigg, Winterton or Bottesford.
I think I advocated this some years ago...hardly rocket science I mean every other club in this division does it.
As for playing attacking football. Forget it with the current crop of players they are all last years reserves or reserves from other clubs.
A major clearout is needed!”