Keith Hill has offered plenty of praise to Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton, but the Scunthorpe United manager insists his team will not "roll over" as the Gas pursue promotion on the final day.
Barton's blues are fourth in League Two, level on points Northampton Town in the final automatic promotion place ahead of the last round of fixtures on Saturday. The Gas need to better Northampton's result against Barrow, or win by a margin five goals better than the Cobblers should Jon Brady's side claim three points at Holker Street.
The Gas will face already-relegated Scunthorpe at a sold-out Mem, with the Iron enduring a terrible season with just four wins in 45 games. Their 72-year stay in the EFL will come to an end Saturday, but Hill insists his youthful squad will not leave without a fight.
"It's a great test for the players," Hill told the club's website. "Previously, when we played away from home at Bradford, the players got sucked into the atmosphere and were caught in the headlights for the opening minutes - the young players especially. It's something they've got to learn from.
"We're going into another big away atmosphere. The crowd will be on top of the pitch, it's a full house and they're going for promotion, while we're already relegated. Everyone is saying this is a home run for Bristol (Rovers), including managers of other sides going for promotion. We'll be competitive, as no matter what opposition we face we have been courageous and shown commitment.
"We've made a lot of mistakes, there is no question about that and it's a reason why we've been relegated, but this is one game in isolation and we're going to turn up with a thought process of continuing our plan for the future. We're not going there to roll over and allow Bristol Rovers to celebrate on our behalf.
"Am I going to change it? No. We're going to go with a similar squad. The young lads have been magnificent in their pursuit on the training ground to get into a position where they're playing games. They've gone through the learning processes, and the transition from training ground to first team isn't one game."
Scunthorpe are expected to field a similar team to the side that drew 1-1 with Hartlepool last time out. Hill picked an XI with an average age of 20, featuring seven teenagers including a 16-year-old, plus a 17-year-old in goal.
Hill made clear his respect for the turnaround Barton has overseen in BS7 this season, but the former Rochdale and Bolton Wanderers boss wants to spoil the party.
He said: "Joey Barton sets his teams up brilliantly, but let's not forget Bristol Rovers were relegated last season. They've bounced back tremendously. He gutted the football club with respect to the playing squad, rebuilt in his own image and look how successful they're being now.
"The media at some part of this season, and certainly the end of last season, were writing Joey off, saying he wasn't good enough, but look at what they're doing. You've got to trust time in football.
"We're going there 100 per cent focused on trying to upset what is a magnificent team."
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