SCUNTHORPE United defender David Mirfin believes it is 'too easy' to use the club's shambolic off-field state as an excuse for poor form.

United suffered their eighth straight loss on the road after a 2-0 defeat at Ipswich Town on Saturday, under the guidance of caretaker boss Tony Daws, who was drafted in as cover following Ian Baraclough's dismissal.

But the centre-back is not prepared to hide behind the lack of management on the playing side as the club battle to avoid the drop.

"At this stage of the season, not having a manager magnifies the predicament we are in," he said.

"But it is too easy for players to turn around and say it is maybe a shambles and we have no-one in charge.

"As professionals, it has probably happened to a large percentage of the lads.

"It is part of football I am afraid, managers losing their jobs.

"But for the players, in terms of what you do on a Saturday, it probably doesn't change at all.

"The level of commitment and attitude should be the same.

"There is only so long you can say 'we have got 10 games left or we have got nine games left'.

"Sooner or later you are going to run out of points to catch people up."