Portsmouth boss not surprised by Scunthorpe's league position

The League One table-toppers make the trip to the 17th-placed Iron tomorrow aiming to maintain their unbeaten away record. 

Things couldn't have gone much better for the Blues so far '“  but it's been a different story Stuart McCall's outfit. 

Scunthorpe are just four points and four places above the relegation zone.

That's despite the Iron reaching the play-offs in the past two campaigns, but missed out on promotion on both occasions.  

While some may be shocked by Scunthorpe's league position, Jackett isn't.

The Pompey boss knows how competitive League One is '“ and warned his troops to take nothing for granted at Glanford Park. 

He said: '˜Scunthorpe are a side you usually associate with competing at the top end of the division.

'˜Over a recent period they have been doing that and they'll be looking at getting back to that.

'˜They have an experienced manager in Stuart McCall and a good squad of players. 

'˜I'm not surprised (by Scunthorpe's league position).

'˜If you look at Oxford, they were a team that were well fancied and they have only just really pulled out of the relegation places.

'˜Bristol Rovers and Plymouth, there are some big clubs down there. It's a competitive division. 

'˜It's a division I know very well and I do know that you have to be at your very best all of the time.

'˜Consistency, attitude and approach are everything to keep you in there and hunting with the big boys at the top of the league.'