Adkins twice tried to sign Holt for Scunthorpe

Nigel Adkins revealed he has twice tried to sign Grant Holt - the player whose last-minute goal ended Scunthorpe's hopes of a second win of the new league season.

“We spoke before the game about Grant Holt and stopping the crosses before they go into the box,” said the Iron manager. “He's a player I've tried to sign twice and he scored a really good goal from Norwich's point of view.

“In our minds though it was disappointing, we keep telling the players we have to be ruthless and take our chances when we get them.

“I think the future's good in respect that we've played some really good football. It's the way I want to play. I want us to move it about.

“We create opportunities, but the two questions we constantly ask are can we deal with injuries and suspensions, and can we make an impact with the players coming off the bench?

“We've got to address that and make sure we're strong if we do get injuries. The ball is king and today proved that if you give the ball away cheaply you're going to get punished as this level.”

It was that second period that left Adkins with cause for concern.

“I felt it was a cracking game of football for the supporters,” he said.

“I felt we played some really good football in the first half. We passed the ball about well on a really sunny day and I felt the supporters enjoyed the first half, especially from Scunthorpe's point of view.

“I think the two injuries to Josh Wright and Michael O'Connor, the substitutes from that period, has damaged us more than them.

“They got a foothold in the game and, at the end of the day, if we don't keep better possession of the football and keep giving the ball away far too cheaply the opposition will get a head of steam up.

“That's what happened because they were in the ascendency towards the end of the game. We tried to make sure we could stay in it so we could get something from the game.”