SAM Togwell has hit back at critics who say Scunthorpe United's players do not have the passion or desire to haul themselves out of the Championship relegation zone.

The midfielder says he and his Iron team-mates are working harder than ever to put to bed the poor form which is threatening the club's second-tier status.

Saturday's one-sided 4-0 defeat at Leeds was Scunthorpe's eighth defeat in nine league matches.

But Togwell says the players will do everything in their power to turn things around ahead of three 'six-pointers' that will have a big impact on United's survival bid.

After Burnley's visit to Glanford Park on Saturday, the Iron tackle bottom club Preston and then fellow strugglers Middlesbrough.

So when it comes to regaining the winning habit, there can be no better time.

"It is not that we are not working hard, we did not have a day off last week," said Togwell.

"We have been in because we don't want to be where we are in the league.

"We are putting in the hours and we are actually working harder than ever.

"It is not nice to lose 4-0 (at Leeds) and recently it has been regular we have been losing.

"But we have got to try to pick the positives out.

"We feel we are good enough and in patches against Leeds you could see that."