Boro boss sees bright future for Alan Knill at Glanford Park

GRAHAM WESTLEY says he expects Scunthorpe United to turn their ailing season around despite them winning just once so far.

Alan Knill brings his side to the Lamex Stadium tomorrow afternoon hoping to build on last weekend’s victory against Yeovil – their solitary win of the campaign to date – and Westley is respectful of the job his opposite number is trying to do at the Lincolnshire club after joining from Bury last season.

“Scunthorpe’s league position probably reflects the fact that when you’ve been used to losing games at whatever level, and you then find yourself at a new level, it’s tough to reverse the trend and they’ve worked hard to get themselves together,” said Westley.

“Alan Knill is a good manager and I’m sure he’ll bring his footballing philosophy to the club once he eventually gets the squad together he wants.

“I saw him the other night and he was totally respectful of his former club Bury, but at the same time he’s got bigger resources where he is, he’s got a different infrastructure and it’s been a Championship club and he feels he can get it back there. So the proof is there that they can play at the higher level and he’s taken on that challenge.

“They have got very good players and they’ve spent a lot of money. Let’s face facts – they’re paying hundreds of thousands of pounds out for players so when you’re paying out that kind of money you can get good players. He’s gone for hungry players with the likes of (Jimmy) Ryan, (Damien) Mozika and Nick Ajose so he’s brought a few of his old Bury players back together and we know how well they did for him.

“I’m sure he’ll want to do some more squad development yet, and he’ll build a decent side in time there’s no question about that.”