Speed Pinpoints Iron's Cutting Edge

Gary Speed insists tonight's nPower Championship home game against Scunthorpe United will be one of the toughest so far, after manager Nigel Adkins departed for Southampton at the weekend.

Adkins, who took the reigns at Glanford Park following the departure of Brian Laws, has done a tremendous job despite often seeing his prize assets sold off, most recently Gary Hooper who joined Celtic.

However, when the chance came to replace the departed Alan Pardew at Southampton, he took the gamble of stepping down a division.

Now, Blades boss Gary Speed fears the managerless Iron, who will undoubtedly show hearts of steel, to overcome the Blades in the steel city, and has pinpointed their strengths, which often lie off the field.

Speaking ahead of the game, Blades boss Speed said: 'Scunthorpe might not be the most fashionable name in the division but they use that status to good effect. They know there's a danger that people switch off against them because of it and, if that happens, then they're always ready to take advantage.

'Likewise, when they go away from home, supporters sometimes seem to think that their own team are just going to turn them over because they're not the most glamorous.

'It's going to be difficult anyway but if we're not right on top of our game then it's going to be even harder.

Match Stat

n the seven seasons the two sides have met, the Blades have never completed a league double over Scunthorpe. United have won 6 games, with 4 draws, and 4 defeats.

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