LOSING is not a word that new Scunthorpe United manager Alan Knill wants to have as part of his vocabulary.

It's something he has not been used to during the last three years at Bury.

That is why last week's 6-0 thrashing at Norwich City, on his debut appearance as the Iron's new manager, was difficult to take.

And that is why he is looking for a big response from his players when they take on runaway leaders QPR in his first home game tomorrow.

Even though his first two fixtures in charge are a real baptism of fire against the top two teams in the Championship, he has no regrets about not waiting until the end of the season to take charge at United.

"I have to say I was shocked at some aspects of that performance at Norwich," he confessed.

"Standing on the touchline I could not do much to affect what was happening on the pitch – but that is associated with me now.

"I am not used to losing. In the last three years at Bury it is something I have not been used to.

"For me, to walk in here and start losing like that is quite difficult for me to take – I have never lost 6-0 before.

"I could have taken this job here at the end of the season but we all decided it was best to come now.

"I could have been walking in and finding out what I have already seen at the beginning of July.

"At least now I will have had eight games to look at the team.

"Obviously I do want to stay in the Championship but if that does not happen I have a fair idea about what I have got within the club."

There have been plenty of home truths this week between Knill and his players.

"I want them to be honest, and be honest with themselves about their own performance," he continued.

"I am brutally honest with my own and I expect the players to be exactly the same."

Knill cannot tinker with the personnel of his squad, but he will give them a definite direction in terms of how he wants them to play.

"I know it is going to be difficult against QPR because they are a very good team, they are top of the table and look like they are heading into the Premier League next season," concluded the Iron boss.

"I want my players to try to give the supporters something to shout about.

"I want them to walk off the pitch with some pride and say at least they had a go.

"I could not say that is what happened at Norwich.

"I have a shape that I want to play. I do not want to put square pegs in round holes.

"I looked at the team that started at Norwich and it was a bit like that.

"If you are putting players in positions where they are comfortable, then they have no excuses."