Ahead of the weekend visit from Derby County for the League One encounter, Michael Skubala took stock across a number of topics, during what is proving to be a busy period for the Imps, both off and on the pitch.
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You can discuss what Michael Skubala has said ahead of this match here, and get involved with our pre-match discussion!
Wycombe: The last 20/25 minutes were good for the Imps and it showcased the front-foot football with pace that the Imps are capable of. There had previously been glimpses of that in the games against Orient, Cambridge and Northampton but not sustained. The second half versus the Chair Boys served to demonstrate what is now required, not only against Derby but beyond to the end of the season.
“If we can do that we’ll be in a good spot”.
Players Out: Hayden Cann and Oisin Gallagher are now on loan with Drogheda in Ireland for the remainder of the season. It is a great move, taking them to the next stage of their careers whereby they need game time. The pair would be getting little if any game time at Lincoln but there are in excess of twenty games remaining in the Irish league. Both players are highly regarded by the Imps with MS looking at them to ‘get playing’ before returning to Lincoln, raring to go in the summer.
Charley Kendall has left the club as the player needs the challenge to progress his career elsewhere. As such it is a good move for him personally. Like any club, the aim is to take on and progress young players but on this occasion, it probably hasn’t worked out as hoped for by either party.
Transfer Targets: It was good to get Joe Taylor and the return of Freddie Draper sorted out early on. MS is looking to add experience and quality but the Imps face themselves chasing players from the same pool as other clubs. With players returning from injuries now, it is important that the players who do come in add to the quality rather than simply the numbers. Taken in the round whilst never saying never, the likelihood is that fresh players are likely to be loanees that improve the side.
“I would definitely say we’ll be leaning towards loans than permanents”.
The New Strike Partnership: It’s very early in proceedings for Freddie Draper and Joe Taylor. There is a lot of learning for both to experience; not only a step up in level, they have to learn to work as a pair and how they fit into the team as a whole. Additionally, the rest of the team need to learn how to adapt to their games. Everybody has to be patient accordingly.
Freddie has good hold-up play, can link up with team mates and causes issues and headaches for any centre-halves at this level. Joe has (different) attributes of pace and power that goes with that.
“Both of them together are going to grow, only in stature and quality and end product; but also they can play up there as an individual as well. It’s really exciting to see how these two work together in the future”.
Chris Cohen: When MS came into the club he was being quizzed about who he intended to bring in with him as support staff. He explained he had always intended to assess the existing staff within the club set-up initially, with the view of identifying any areas that needed technical assistance. That is how it has panned out and Chris joins as somebody not known to him personally but is, by many others at the club.
Chris brings experience at Championship and Premier League level, including that as a player – not something that others (at Lincoln) have.
The entire coaching staff are brilliant, and are in a really good place to help and specifically develop/help the players, which is a pre-requisite of what MS is looking for; notwithstanding that final decisions and responsibility remain with him.
Derby County: The Rams are flying. They are physical, fast, big and on a good run to boot; one of the top three biggest clubs in the league.
“But we’re at home. We have to take it on; the lads to take the game to Derby (with Peterborough they are tough opposition for the next two fixtures), but why not, why can’t we take the game to Derby and do our best and see if we can get on the front foot with it”.
Writer: hulloutpost
Skubala: "I would definitely say we'll be leaning towards loans."https://t.co/e8tuiKkArR#WeAreImps #DCFC #EFL
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) January 18, 2024
