IPSWICH ARE IN FALSE POSITION - ADKINS
Posted on: Fri 12 Mar 2010
Iron manager Nigel Adkins hasn't ruled out a late play-off push for Saturday's opponents Ipswich Town.
The Tractor Boys sit just two places and three points above United in the league table but such is the admiration he has for Tractor Boys boss Roy Keane and the squad he's assembled he feels they clearly in a false position.
They haven't lost at Portman Road since September and Scunthorpe travel there prepared to face a side which performed outstandingly against Cardiff City, who they beat 2-0 in midweek.
After an enforced two-week break though, Adkins says there is a steely resolve about his players as United bid to survive in the Championship.
Speaking on The Iron Player, Adkins said: "We're doing everything we can to achieve what would be a fantastic achievement.
"The mindset is good, we have two very difficult away fixtures now.
"I went to watch Ipswich Town defeat Cardiff City on Tuesday evening, and I have no idea why they are where they are in the league for the simple reason that they were outstanding the other night.
"They play a very high tempo, are very direct and are also a massive threat from set-plays with the big team they've got.
"They have a good, patient crowd down there, the stadium is lovely, as is the pitch - and it's going to be one heck of a game.
"We played them a few weeks ago and were disappointed not to take all three points.
"I still wouldn't rule out a push for them to get in the play-offs, strange as that may sound, as they've got the armoury to go and achieve it.
"Everyone thought we'd be relegated by Christmas but that's not the case. We've been competing very well and we all have to stick together now for a challenging final 12 games.
"There are occasions when things won't go our way but we have to be as one as a team and a football club.
He added that his side have had the opportunity to train outside for the first time in ages over the last two weeks as Spring approaches.
The Iron went to Champneys Springs in Leicestershire for three days and Adkins hailed the experience as very productive.
"We've worked on our shape and have worked on the emphasis of hard work, and controlling the tempo of a game," he explained.
"It's been like a mini pre-season for us. The lads have worked ever so hard.
"It's been great to get out on the field of play because we've been restricted to five a side's in our indoor facilities.
"We have a steely resolve about ourselves, you can see it in the players' eyes - they are demanding of each other and determined.
"We've found the break to be excellent. We were disappointed with the Coventry result but we've really benefited from this.
"The lads have worked really hard, we have fresh impetus. There are 12 games to go and we are better placed than a lot of people thought we would be this time of the season so that's a positive.
"The work ethic we demand of each other are there for all to see.
"Nobody's going to be lazy, we're all going to work very hard for each other, and we will achieve this season.
"The opposition will have done their research on us but we're going to work very hard on the training ground and do whatever we can do to give ourselves a chance to win a game of football.
"We're in a dogfight, we have just 12 games to go and the emphasis is on demanding from each other, being as supportive of each other as we can and being as ruthless as possible.
"We're in a mini-league now and we have to extract every ounce of potential we can from one another.
"It's a game of inches, as Al Pacino says in the film Any Given Sunday. Defining moments, misses, refereeing decisions will decide the season. It's going to be nervous, tense and exciting."
Meanwhile, Adkins expressed his sadness at the passing of Macclesfield Town manager Keith Alexander last week.
The former Lincoln boss passed away just hours after his side's defeat at Notts County, and Adkins knew him well from his time at Sincil Bank, during which the Imps were great rivals with the Iron in Division Three/League Two.
"I did know Keith and it's a very sad time," continued Adkins, who will attend the ex-Grimsby striker's funeral on Monday.
"I can only speak from experience but he was always such a nice person to speak to.
"He always had the time of day for you and it's such a big loss at such a young age to not only his family but to football in general."
See much more from Nigel Adkins, Cliff Byrne and Matt Sparrow on The Iron Player.
The Tractor Boys sit just two places and three points above United in the league table but such is the admiration he has for Tractor Boys boss Roy Keane and the squad he's assembled he feels they clearly in a false position.
They haven't lost at Portman Road since September and Scunthorpe travel there prepared to face a side which performed outstandingly against Cardiff City, who they beat 2-0 in midweek.
After an enforced two-week break though, Adkins says there is a steely resolve about his players as United bid to survive in the Championship.
Speaking on The Iron Player, Adkins said: "We're doing everything we can to achieve what would be a fantastic achievement.
"The mindset is good, we have two very difficult away fixtures now.
"I went to watch Ipswich Town defeat Cardiff City on Tuesday evening, and I have no idea why they are where they are in the league for the simple reason that they were outstanding the other night.
"They play a very high tempo, are very direct and are also a massive threat from set-plays with the big team they've got.
"They have a good, patient crowd down there, the stadium is lovely, as is the pitch - and it's going to be one heck of a game.
"We played them a few weeks ago and were disappointed not to take all three points.
"I still wouldn't rule out a push for them to get in the play-offs, strange as that may sound, as they've got the armoury to go and achieve it.
"Everyone thought we'd be relegated by Christmas but that's not the case. We've been competing very well and we all have to stick together now for a challenging final 12 games.
"There are occasions when things won't go our way but we have to be as one as a team and a football club.
He added that his side have had the opportunity to train outside for the first time in ages over the last two weeks as Spring approaches.
The Iron went to Champneys Springs in Leicestershire for three days and Adkins hailed the experience as very productive.
"We've worked on our shape and have worked on the emphasis of hard work, and controlling the tempo of a game," he explained.
"It's been like a mini pre-season for us. The lads have worked ever so hard.
"It's been great to get out on the field of play because we've been restricted to five a side's in our indoor facilities.
"We have a steely resolve about ourselves, you can see it in the players' eyes - they are demanding of each other and determined.
"We've found the break to be excellent. We were disappointed with the Coventry result but we've really benefited from this.
"The lads have worked really hard, we have fresh impetus. There are 12 games to go and we are better placed than a lot of people thought we would be this time of the season so that's a positive.
"The work ethic we demand of each other are there for all to see.
"Nobody's going to be lazy, we're all going to work very hard for each other, and we will achieve this season.
"The opposition will have done their research on us but we're going to work very hard on the training ground and do whatever we can do to give ourselves a chance to win a game of football.
"We're in a dogfight, we have just 12 games to go and the emphasis is on demanding from each other, being as supportive of each other as we can and being as ruthless as possible.
"We're in a mini-league now and we have to extract every ounce of potential we can from one another.
"It's a game of inches, as Al Pacino says in the film Any Given Sunday. Defining moments, misses, refereeing decisions will decide the season. It's going to be nervous, tense and exciting."
Meanwhile, Adkins expressed his sadness at the passing of Macclesfield Town manager Keith Alexander last week.
The former Lincoln boss passed away just hours after his side's defeat at Notts County, and Adkins knew him well from his time at Sincil Bank, during which the Imps were great rivals with the Iron in Division Three/League Two.
"I did know Keith and it's a very sad time," continued Adkins, who will attend the ex-Grimsby striker's funeral on Monday.
"I can only speak from experience but he was always such a nice person to speak to.
"He always had the time of day for you and it's such a big loss at such a young age to not only his family but to football in general."
See much more from Nigel Adkins, Cliff Byrne and Matt Sparrow on The Iron Player.
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