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Spotlight on Scunthorpe United - The Iron
STAR MAN - GRANT McCANN THE Northern Ireland international midfielder (right) has been a roaring success at Scunthorpe since moving from Barnsley in January, 2008.
STAR MAN - GRANT McCANN
THE Northern Ireland international midfielder (right) has been a roaring success at Scunthorpe since moving from Barnsley in January, 2008.His passing prowess and accurate shooting with his left foot are key weapons in The Iron's arsenal - the latter being underlined by a 30-yard thunderbolt against Sheffield United last Saturday, his fifth goal already this season.
The 29 year-old is more than capable of taking control of matches from the centre of the park and Posh will have to keep him under closer scrutiny than they did Doncaster Rovers' talented midfield players in midweek.
Match coverage: Live updates - Posh v Scunthorpe
OTHERS TO WATCH
STRIKER Gary Hooper is Scunthorpe's prize asset.
The 21 year-old repaid a 125,000 outlay by firing 30 goals in his debut Iron season to fire the club to promotion.
The former Southend and Hereford player, who faces a late fitness test on a foot injury tomorrow, is deceptively strong for a small player and is an excellent finisher. His 'little and large' combination with Paul Hayes has been a major success.
Scunthorpe have a tradition of developing excellent forwards having had Posh's midweek conqueror Billy Sharp, Andy Keogh and Martin Paterson on their books in recent years.
Winger Martyn Woolford, who has graduated from non-league footbal, bagged a brace in the victory over Newcastle.
But he could still be relegated to the bench tomorrow with Michael O'Connor back from a one-match suspension.
O'Connor was the star of the Crewe team relegated from League One last season and has impressed in the Championship already.
Fellow summer arrival Josh Wright, a former Charlton youngster, has also done well in midfield while Sam Togwell provides the backbone in that area.
The Scunthorpe defence could be mistaken for land of the giants with 6ft 6ins summer recruit Rob Jones forming a handy partnership with no-nonsense 6ft 3ins partner David Mirfin. Their presence means Posh might not get too much joy aerially tomorrow.
Goalkeeper Joe Murphy is loved in Scunthorpe and highly-rated in all footballing circles. According to the club's official website, he will go down in history as one of their best-ever stoppers.
THE BOSS - NIGEL ADKINS
MEDICAL man turned manager Nigel Adkins has enjoyed his fair share of highs and lows in the Scunthorpe hot-seat.
The former goalkeeper was working as The Iron's physiotherpaist when called on to replace Brian Laws back in November 2006. His only previous managerial experience had come with League of Wales side Bangor City.
Adkins was soon given the job on a permanent basis and quickly guided Scunthorpe into the Championship by securing promotion from League One with three games to spare.
The honeymoon period ended in relegation back to League One the following season but Scunthorpe responded in style to sneak back up again last term by coming through the play-offs.
Victory over Millwall at Wembley secured their return to the Championship and ensured their second visit of the season to that famous venue was happier than the first when they lost to Luton in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final.
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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