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" We played against a very good team today, I think that is probably the best team we have played all season. We've battled away, they've played some good stuff without really creating any chances and then they have scored with two of our set-pieces really on the counter-attack, that is the most disappointing thing. Scunthorpe worked really hard today and they are probably the best team we have played this season. Both their goals came from our set-pieces, sometimes that happens, they are counter-attacking and have got a lot of pace in the team. It's a killer blow but give him (Billy Sharp) one chance and he's stuck it in the back of the net and that's why he is top scorer in the whole league.
" I don't think they were two goals better, I don't think we played at the top of our game, we gave them a little bit too much respect in the first half and we never really free-flowed. Credit to them though - they stopped us from playing and they worked extremely hard with the work ethic and high tempo that they played. That has stopped us playing so hands up and congratulations to Scunthorpe, it wasn't a 2-0 game I don't think but they were the best team we have played this season.
" We're striving to be in the position that they are in and you have to work extremely hard for each other and win the individual battles, when you do that then the talent comes through, and I think we've seen that today. Paul Thirlwell is going to stop here and train, we're going to try and get a deal tied up as soon as possible, it's getting closer as each day comes along. We'll be sorry to miss him for three or four games over the Christmas period but he'll be staying with us as much as he possibly can.
" We've played second top and third top in the last two games and expectations are that we are supposed to beat them or pick up a point here or there, but this is a learning curve. That's were we strive to be and we have to work probably a little bit harder than we have done to get where they are. We keep on striving to bring new players in, the last two games have been a big pointer to possibly say to us that maybe we aren't good enough at the moment.
" We were in a position where we were eighth before the game started, and I think we deserved to be in eighth, but when you want to push on these are the teams that you have got to compete against. Bristol City certainly weren't better than us but they have won the game and Scunthorpe have taken their chances when they came along. The games don't get any easier, and they'll be coming thick and fast, but we'll remain strong and we'll remain focused and we'll give it our best shot. "