Latics stung by Iron put-down

SCUNTHORPE hot-shot Paddy Madden believes there is no way Athletic should be getting the better of his side this weekend.

The six-goal former Yeovil striker, who scored the winning goal against Fleetwood last time out, insists the relative squad strengths shows where the points should be going this Saturday. Madden (25) is one of a host of strike options available to Chadderton-raised manager Mark Robins.

The big-spending outfit is able to call on loaned Huddersfield forward Joe Lolley — creator of Madden’s goal last week — as well as veteran Gary McSheffrey, Dutch star Kevin van Veen, and ex-Leicester man Tom Hopper, though target man Darius Henderson is currently out injured.

Despite their options the team has struggled this season and has scored only three wins. The Iron are 20th in the table, far below expectations.

Madden hopes his team can soon find the consistency to rise up the rankings — starting with a win at SportsDirect.com Park.

“We have got to show a bit more character on the pitch and start getting win after win,” he said.

“It was a big three points and we have to build on that. We haven’t got a better chance to do that because - no disrespect to Oldham - with the squad we have we should be beating teams like that.”

Former Middlesbrough prospect Luke Williams — a scorer in last season’s Capital One Cup tie against Athletic — could feature for the first time since the opening day of the season.

The 22-year-old forward sustained ligament damage in the Iron’s first fixture at Burton, but did not need surgery and made a comeback in a reserves games this week.

But loan centre back Murray Wallace may miss out. Iron manager Robins isn’t hopeful about the Scot’s chances after he picked up an injury last weekend.