Home comforts are few and far between throughout football, according to Alan Knill.

Far from being a problem for Scunthorpe United alone, who have won just twice at Glanford Park this season, the Iron boss says competing well on your own turf is a wider issue.

Though it is one he is hoping to overcome against Carlisle on Saturday.

"You speak to lots of managers and they all say the same, it's getting harder and harder to win at home," said Knill.

"Teams come and set up defensively, not offensively, and the home team has to come out and play because that's what's expected.

"A lot of teams go on great away runs and then can't win at home.

"It is kind of changing but you have to be able to cope with that.

"For us, it's been a tough learning period.

"When we've been in the ascendancy we've conceded a goal at a poor time.

"You have to get over it, move on and be more concentrated and really believe in what you're doing.

"You see it every week, some results go for you, some go against you, but if you can get a level of consistency, they usually go for you."

United have had two weeks' worth of preparation for Saturday's game, having been without an FA Cup fixture last weekend.

And Knill has been impressed with how his players have applied themselves.

"We've just done more work – team shape, pressing, in possession and out of possession," he explained.

"The players have worked really well and tried to take on everything we've asked them to take on.

"It was important we trained at the weekend because we all think we should have been playing.

"We all came in on Saturday, then stepped on it again.

"Last month was a really poor month.

"We finished it quite well (at Notts County), didn't get the points but got the performance.

"Unfortunately you have to draw a line under it quickly and move on from it quickly.

"I'm hopeful we'll be a lot better in December."