Scunthorpe United

Scunthopre play host to QPR on Saturday December 8th with the return game at Loftus Road on March 15th.

Below is the guide to Scunthrope with my opinion on how they will fare this season as well as the view of a Scunthrope.

Transfer Dealings

Players In: Paul Hayes (Barnsley), Jonathan Forte (Sheffield United), Kevan Hurst (Sheffield United), Izzy Iriekpen (Swansea), Martin Paterson (Stoke), Kelly Youga (Charlton, loan).

Players Out: Billy Sharp (Sheffield United), Lee Ridley (Cheltenham), Richard Hinds (Sheffield Wednesday) Steve Foster (Darlington), Neil MacKenzie (Notts County), Steve Torpey, Ramon Calliste, Ashley Allanson, Robbie Foy, Dean Twibey, Jack Francis.

Last Season

Before last season I think most fans only knowledge of Scunthopre was that part of their name was quite rude. Last year proved to be an outstanding one for the club though as they won League one and thoroughly deserved promotion to the Championship.

It's been a real success story in recent years for Scunthorpe under Brian laws as they won promotion to league one but after a good start to last season Laws was attracted to Sheffield Wednesday and many expected them to fall away.

That didn't happen though and they gave the manager's job to the physio Nigel Adkins, which brought about the classic song " Who Needs Mourinhio we've got our physio"

Adkins made the job switch look easy as he went on a long unbeaten run with the goals of Bill Sharp firing them to the top of the table. Jermain Beckford joined on loan from Leeds and added some spectacular goals and in the end they won the title with a few games to spare.

How Will they fare?

After winning promotion last year they start this season as one of the favorites to get relegated which never seems fair but always happens.

I could write what I know about Scunthorpe on the back of a postage stamp so I'm fully prepared for this prediction to come back and haunt me later in the season. Still having lost top scorer Bill Sharp and having not been able to sign Beckford from Leeds they don't appear to have enough about them to survive.

The signings made though are pretty decent, Paul Hayes is a decent forward who can score goals whilst Izzy Iriekpen will be a good defender at this level.

They are coming up with a winning mentality, which could stand them in good stead and see them produce a few shocks but over a long season I think they'll just lack the quality to survive.

PREDICTION: 24th in the Championship

Scunthorpe United Fans View

I asked fans on a Scunthorpe message Board how they feel they will fare this season and here is what they had to day.y.

How do you think Scunthorpe will fare this season?

17th which would be fantastic

Who are your players to watch out for?

Kevan Hurst should make a name for himself this season

Is your Manager the right man for the job?

Yes he's done an amazing job to get us promoted

Which three teams will be promoted this season?

Probably won't be us so I'll go with the three relegated sides to bounce straight back

Which teams will be relegated?

Anyone but us, hopefully Hull, Barnsley and Blackpool

How do you think QPR wil dare this season?

I think you'll struggle again but will stay up one place below us

What's The Ground Like

from http://www.footballgroundguide.co.uk/

The club left the Old Show Ground and moved to the new Glanford Park in August 1988. It is somewhat box like in appearance with all four stands being an equal height. The ground is totally enclosed with all four corners having been filled (with advertising hoardings). The home end is terracing, whilst the other three sides of the ground are all seated. The main downside is the many supporting pillars to impede your view.

The Club seem to have gone a bit over the top, with each stand having a named sponsor. Gone are East, West, North & South Stands. In are; Grove Wharf, Scunthorpe Telegraph, Study United & AMS Stands!

Away fans are housed in the AMS Stand (aka the South Stand) at one end. This is all seated and can house 1,650 supporters. If demand requires it, then extra seats can be made available in the south corner of the West Stand. I had somewhat of an uneventful day out at Scunthorpe, with no problems incurred. However I do have to say that the ground lacked atmosphere, possibly because there were few away supporters on my visit.

James Broadbent adds; 'the ground is very easy to find on the edge of town. Scunthorpe is generally a friendly place to visit, where you can have decent banter and a good day out. To help boost the atmosphere the club allow drums and musical instruments to be brought into the ground'.

Previous Results

These two sides have not met since the famous 1966/67 season when QPR won the league cup. The last meeting saw Rangers win 5-1 at Loftus Road. Scunthorpes only ever win against us came in 1964 when they beat us 2-1

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