Ahead of the home game with Exeter City, Michael Skubala gave a nod as to how he sees the rest of the season playing out, following Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw away at Charlton Athletic in League One.
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You can discuss what Michael Skubala has said ahead of this match here (including other pre-match interviews), and get involved with our pre-match discussion!
Charlton Athletic Match: MS thought the team did really well in the first half and in the second half the Addicks really came after ‘us’. MS has been really pleased with the form of all five of his centre backs but in the Charlton game, it was the whole side defending as a team that stood out.
“I think what we’re really good at now is a team, we defend really well as a team. We’re a strong unit, we’re connected”.
When connected as such, are the times the Imps do well and at Charlton the players dug deep and saw out the pressure effectively.
“I think all in all a good point away from home”.
Player Form: MS was asked about the impact of several players.
Sean Roughan can play centre back in a two or three in addition to left back. He has decent ability on the ball and high up the pitch, with overall MS seeing Sean most comfortable as a centre half in a three. He is gaining experience and growing all the time. SR is showing how diligently he can defend, with one-versus-one situations prevalent. Sean continues to grow and can still improve many aspects of his game.
“I think for such a young man he’s showing his quality”.
SR showed his mental strength whilst out of the team, demonstrating to the other young players that if willing to be patient and work hard every day it is possible to get into the team. Then it is a case of performing every time to keep the shirt.
MS highlighted the added features of Teddy Bishop’s game. “I think everybody can see Teddy’s talent…..Teddy with the ball is a very talented player; but again what I’ve been really impressed with Teddy in the last few games, how well he’s worked off the ball. How strong and how in that midfield, how well he’s competed”.
All players want to improve regardless of age and Teddy is showing that. As a result, he is being rewarded with ‘minutes’, so with his good form, it then becomes a case of managing him through back-to-back games.
Reeco Hackett-Fairchild is coming into great form having had to wait to get fit. It is clear what he brings to the left side. As a team the Imps tend to play the wide players higher whenever possible – more like wingers, which MS feels suits Reeco.
“I think that suits Reeco’s game massively. Out there he’s a threat to anyone. I think everybody sees that, what he can bring to the team”.
Reeco is another that MS would like to see retain form and fitness.
Exeter City: MS views the Grecians as very much a possession-based side who can effectively keep the ball. When they get that aspect right it can hurt opponents, when they get it wrong it can hurt them. Currently, they are on a run where they have found form with the ball.
On the injury front, Freddie Draper picked up another knock to his ankle during the Charlton game so he probably will not make the Exeter match, whilst Ethan Hamilton has just started training again and is not ‘too far away’. Adam Jackson will definitely be missing for some time following his broken nose and currently needs to be able to breathe properly again before even thinking about heading a ball. With a mask, he could be available in a couple of weeks – best case scenario, but it could be as long as six weeks.
Aspirations for the Remaining Season: MS wants the Imps to keep pushing as ‘you never know’ what can happen over the next few weeks. Looking at the up turn in form at clubs such as Exeter and Cheltenham it shows what is possible with a few wins and as such it is important to maintain the mentality to go out and keep winning.
“We need to be looking up, because if they (Exeter/Cheltenham) can go on a run why can’t we go on a run and try and get some wins. See where we are at the end of February really. I think then the picture becomes clearer for where we’re settling”.
Writer: hullutpost
Skubala: "I think for such a young man he's showing his quality."https://t.co/O7evwAdvuI#WeAreImps #ECFC #Exeter
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) February 16, 2024
