MK: “It’s a compliment to any team that can win ugly.”

Leading into the home fixture versus Blackpool, Mark Kennedy provided some detail about tweaks to game tactics and mindset which are already producing benefits this season.

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Winning Ugly: MK highlighted the importance of finding different ways to win.

“It’s a compliment to any team that can win ugly”. MK was of the view that the Shrewsbury result personified that opinion given the difficult conditions of a dry, heavy pitch in conjunction with the strong wind.

“Football’s about winning and finding a way to win. For those that like golf, having a great swing’s amazing but it’s about getting the ball in the hole with the fewest amount of shots as possible”.

Building on Last Season: MK was mindful that last year the Imps did not have a great record of scoring goals from long range whereas he could remember talking about a number of opponents who did carry that type of threat. Ethan Hamilton was identified as a player that could add that facet to the side, so having seen him practice shooting from distance all week it was great to see Ethan notch a goal accordingly.

“Really, really pleased for him; that he evidenced that”. MK expects that Ethan will contribute a number of similar goals this season so to get the one at Shrewsbury will add to his confidence.

Another area of the game that MK had talked about considerably last year but up until now hadn’t been able to focus on, was the ability of some teams to recycle the ball quickly and effectively. Sheffield Wednesday were a prime example, proving to be relentless using strength and power to recycle the ball back into the attacking areas, no messing about. It doesn’t matter who you are, defenders do not like that.

Having put some emphasis on that approach, MK can already think of three goals the Imps have benefitted from early season.

“A good example as well would be Sean Roughan against Exeter (away) last year. Ball comes out set piece, and he tried to play it back to Carl (Rushworth) and Carl had gone for a hot dog. But this year it’s happened, it’s come out to him, it’s gone straight back in and we’ve scored from it. So that’s also good learning and he’s evidenced that as well; so something we’ve talked about a lot for sure”.

Transfer Window Closing: The Imps have carried out their business aggressively, very well supported and backed by Clive and the rest of the board. In an ideal world, MK would like one more player but he hasn’t, and won’t be knocking on the Chairman’s door – MK is a strong believer regarding ‘staying in his lane’.

At this point, MK is not in regular recruitment meetings unlike before.

Blackpool: It’s good to have a home game and it is against a strong team with an excellent manager and assistant that is well known to the Imps. Whilst noting The Seasiders haven’t lost or even conceded a goal, MK displayed a positive mindset.

“At some point, Blackpool are going to concede a goal, that’s a fact. We have to make sure it’s us on Saturday, that’s putting the ball in the back of the net”.

Benefits of a Strong Squad – There are tough decisions to be made (team selection) with ultimately some players pleased and others disappointed. There is no doubt competition is driving standards in training. It’s one thing setting standards but the players are having to execute that, it must come from them and ‘we’ are seeing that without a doubt.

“There’s been a big difference where we are today compared to where we were last year”.

MK highlighted TJ Eyoma as a prime example of that, given the player had been left out of the match-day squad the previous week. He had reacted commendably, demonstrating a positive mindset and leadership.

Writer: hulloutpost

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