MK: “It’s not a problem, it’s a solution.”

Going into the away fixture at Shrewsbury Town, Mark Kennedy drew a line under recruitment before outlining his plans to take advantage of a full week of training between games, in the week ahead.

QUIZ: How much can you remember from the last time The Imps played Shrewsbury Town at New Meadow? Have a go at our quiz here or further down the page!

You can discuss what Mark Kennedy has said ahead of this match here, or in the comments at the bottom as well as get involved with our pre-match discussion, and many other topics on our 100% Imps forum!

Alex Mitchell: The loan signing is one that has been pursued for some time and been difficult to get over the line so MK wished to thank both clubs for seeing the deal through. The Imps have another good player on their hands bringing athleticism, pace, power and strength to the side. Alex is a defender who ‘loves defending’. With League One being quite direct at times, they will be valuable assets in the player. Added to that, Alex is a good footballer who enjoys stepping in or driving into midfield.

“There’s things we can help him with and there’s things he can help us……that’s what loans are for”

Recruitment and Interest in Lincoln Players: With the signing of Alex that is pretty much the Imp’s work on main targets done although MK would never say never if the right deal came up that benefitted all parties.

MK doesn’t worry about interest in Lincoln players coming from other clubs; if players get ahead of the club in their personal development then good luck to them, it means the club are doing something right.

“I feel we’re a really brilliant platform club. I feel we’re on the rise (recruitment); I feel we’re on the up”.

As it stands MK has not had any heads up on players leaving imminently nor is he is currently expecting any to leave.

Squad Strength and Player Expectations: The squad are all clear on the injury front and with that it means there will be good players not in the starting eleven but the sheer number of games ensures that everybody will get games regardless.

“What a brilliant problem to have…..it’s not a problem it’s a solution”.

For context, MK referenced the situations last season when the ‘bench’ was under complement or included youth players, so managing player expectations is not something he is at all concerned with or thinks about.

Shrewsbury Town: The Shrews have an impressive director of football and an excellent manager in Matt Taylor who is very highly thought of within football (circles). MK believes Taylor was very harshly treated in his previous job but that’s the nature of football.

In spite of some changes at Shrewsbury, the club have retained the nucleus of a lot of good players. They are well drilled, organised – which is reflected in their outstanding start to the season.

Training Opportunity and Plans: Following the Shrewsbury fixture there will be a clear week for coaching opportunities, something that MK finds refreshing. He avoids generic coaching sessions but when taking account of recovery days it does at times make it more difficult to implement training that is physical, tactical, themed and well drilled.

“I’m looking forward to actually putting in what I class as a really coachable day”.

MK recognised that contemporary football is very data-driven but it is important to not be over-reliant on that. For example, an early sample will show that the Imps are scoring more goals, later in the game than last season but conversely have conceded more late goals themselves.

“Data doesn’t measure success…..We can be statistically a lot better than we were last year and finish lower. Sometimes you can get caught up in that too much…..Sometimes it’s about something you might see in the game. Sometimes it’s about sticking to your processes, philosophies and themes that you want to do”.

Writer: hulloutpost

1 of 12