Iron's boss plays down grudge match talk

SCUNTHORPE United have brushed aside talk of a grudge match ahead of their meeting with Swansea City tomorrow.

Paulo Sousa has predicted that his players could face provocation at Glanford Park after a bad-tempered Carling Cup clash in August saw three Swans sent off.

But manager Nigel Adkins has rejected talk of reprisals, saying only: "There will be no comebacks tomorrow from our point of view."

Scunthorpe's challenge is to ensure a 5-1 thumping by Manchester City on Wednesday night is out of their system come tomorrow afternoon.

The Iron's recent record indicates how important their home form could be to their hopes of staying in the Championship this season, as tomorrow they attempt to make it six games unbeaten at Glanford Park.

"Getting the players back up for tomorrow's game is not an issue at all," stressed Adkins.

"Staying in the Championship this season has always been our number one priority.

"The lads enjoy playing here at Glanford Park and are looking forward to it.

"I have got a lot of belief in the players, but they have got to believe in themselves more and find out ways to get round obstacles that are put in their way."

Scunthorpe's away form since they won at the Liberty has been disappointing, with defeat at Eastlands making it no victory in five attempts.

But the fact that they saw off Newcastle United in their last home fixture tells all about their confidence in their own backyard.

Adkins argues Scunthorpe, who will climb above Swansea should they beat them, will need to stop their visitors if they are to chalk up another victory.

"Swansea are a team who will pass the ball more than anybody and we will have to be bang on our game to beat them," he said.

"We can pass the ball well too, but we have got to be competitive and channel them into positions where when they do have the ball, they cannot hurt us."

Gareth Vincent