United hopeful new strike force can provide cutting edge against Hull
SCUNTHORPE United are hoping a brand new strike force – and a 'dogs of war' approach elsewhere – will finally end their five month wait for another home win tomorrow.
The Iron take on big-spending neighbours Hull City, looking to try to tame the Tigers for the second time this season.
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READY TO FACE TIGERS: New signing Michael Nelson from Norwich, who will make his debut for United tomorrow at the centre of the defence. Picture: Carl Gac.
It promises to be a full-blooded affair, with the form book pointing heavily towards an away win.
The Tigers have lost only once in 14 games since that KC defeat back in early November.
In contrast, Scunthorpe have won only once during that same period.
But United boss Ian Baraclough firmly believes he now has enough battlers in his side to turn the tables.
They include rugged centre-back Michael Nelson, who will make his debut after joining the club from Norwich on transfer deadline day.
Most eyes though, will be focused up front where new loan strikers Lee Miller and Joe Garner will be paired together for the first time.
Miller, from Middlesbrough, will also be making his Iron debut, while Garner, from Nottingham Forest, will be making his first appearance at Glanford Park.
Together they will be charged with providing United with some much-needed goal power after drawing a blank in six of their last eight Championship games.
"Hull will be coming here wanting revenge after our 1-0 victory at the KC Stadium," said manager Ian Baraclough.
"That was a performance full of grit, determination, digging in at the right time and some good football.
"A bit of the same tomorrow would be nice.
"It is a local derby, it is going to be feisty.
"It has to be refereed strongly but fairly. He has to let one or two things go and not be as picky as some of the officials we have had recently."
Baraclough is confident that his recent recruits like Nelson, Paul Reid and Andy Hughes can bolster United and bring the best out of the rest.
"It was important we did go and strengthen in January," said the United boss.
"When I first took charge, I did not want to change the group too much, but just identified the need for one or two stronger characters in the dressing room to add to the players we had already got.
"Experienced players like Andy Hughes, Paul Reid and Michael Nelson give us that."
The versatile Hughes might just be handed a midfield holding role tomorrow in place of young Abdisalam Ibrahim, who is ruled out by a one-match suspension after a red card at Middlesbrough on Tuesday.
The alternative is to bring back want-away midfield man Josh Wright after three games out.
6 Comments
by Dan, Scunny
Friday, February 04 2011, 10:13PM
“Picky refs? Is this suggesting that we are going to play kick em high football as well as long? Might not be a bad thing but thn we do tend to collect reds at this time of year.”
by Eddie Murphy, Beverley Hills
Friday, February 04 2011, 5:44PM
“Not sure who you're talking to Daaaave, but that goat of yours is getting restless. Are you bringing her to the game with you tomorrow?”
by Dave, Hull
Friday, February 04 2011, 5:18PM
“Haha, we're such a meaningless team to you that you have to spout off on every available outlet how much we don't mean to you. Constantly on hullcity-mad and thisishull.co.uk, dear oh dear. Lets be honest, you're a bit of a loser.”
by mark, messingham
Friday, February 04 2011, 4:03PM
“So none of us work with people from 'ull who will get slaughtered Monday if we lose? I think not!!”
by Eddie Murphy, Beverley Hills
Friday, February 04 2011, 10:40AM
“Spot on sir. Win, lose or draw tomorrow, it's nothing more than any other game. Hurts a damn sight more to lose to proper footballing towns like Leeds, Rotherham and the Sheffields, who we all know aren't going to run back to rugger when the money runs out. Although at least if we lose, we'll get to be entertained by Daaaaave for longer!”
by 1500club, Lincs
Friday, February 04 2011, 9:51AM
“It's only a derby for Hull - for United it's waaay down this list behind Grimsby, Donny and Lincoln.
The only reason that a majority of United fans take great pleasure in ROUTINELY DISPOSING OF THIS NORTH BANK VERMIN, is because we have this rugby town rammed down our necks via Radio Hullberside. The only winner in this mundane fixture amongst a league of GENUINELY big clubs (thats not you Dull), is the Humber Bridge tolls.
As Richard Keys might muse - SMASH IT!
Up the Iron!”