Monday 28 November 2011 15:12, UK
Skipper Cliff Byrne feels some of the criticism directed at Scunthorpe in recent weeks has been justified.
The Irish defender has been sidelined since January with a back problem and made his first appearance of the season at Notts County, where they went down to a third straight league defeat. The 29-year-old, whose side have slipped to 19th in the table, told the club's official website: "I always feel it's unfair to say players aren't trying, but the fans are well within their rights. "I've sat and watched games as well and it [the work-rate] hasn't been to the standard we have set ourselves. "That's down to us, and we've got to maintain the high standards. They are well within their rights to say what they want after the game. They support us and back us, though, and we want to give them something to shout about." On his long-awaited comeback, Byrne added: "I was like a schoolboy again on Saturday morning. I had butterflies in my stomach. It was a nice feeling to have again and it was nice to be able to compete."