The Opposition View: Scunthorpe United

Last updated : 20 February 2014 By Jim Bonner

Last time you were interviewed you were less than happy with the way Scunthorpe's season was going. Is it safe to say that your feelings have changed now?

Very much so, we've improved so much since then. That win against you was the catalyst for our unbeaten run and I'd be very happy to finish the season in second place.

What has Russ Wilcox done so differently to Brian Laws to improve the side so much?

He's started playing players in their correct positions for a start and playing our better players in the squad. Laws was playing Sam Winnall (who is our top scorer) out wide in a few games for some odd reason. He was also not using Deon Burton, who has been fantastic, well enough. Wilcox has also got us playing nice passing football which Laws didn't have us playing whilst he was in charge.

David Syers made quite the impression when he scored twice at Fratton Park but who else should Pompey fans be wary of on Saturday? 

Sean McAllister has been our best player this season in my opinion - he is a little terrier in midfield who wins everything. Our most dangerous player is our top scorer, Sam Winnall. He has 16 goals and 6 assists in the league this year meaning he has been involved in 22 of our 45 goals.

Scunthorpe may have improved since Laws was dismissed but surely there are one or two weaknesses in your team that could be exposed by Pompey?

We're very poor at holding leads. We lost a 3-0 lead to Dagenham, a 2-0 to Bury and other games that we have led in. (Ed: Still not as bad as our record when it comes to holding leads!)

The Portsmouth squad has had some changes since it last faced the Iron. What players are your particularly worried about, if any?

Ryan Taylor looks a threat, I'm worried about him and Ricky Holmes as he seems to have a very good delivery and Taylor seems good in the air.

Pompey haven't exactly being playing vintage football under Richie Barker but what style of football does your team play and what kind of match can we expect this weekend?

We like to wear teams down by passing the ball around. However, we sometimes get frustrated if we cannot break a team down and end up hoofing the ball upfield to nobody as we don't have a large striker to win it.

Predict the outcome of the match.

Scunthorpe 1-0 Portsmouth