Ahead of the first home midweek league fixture in some time against Shrewsbury Town, Michael Skubala discussed the outstanding Lincoln defensive record before dealing with those whispers about reaching the play-offs.
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You can discuss what Michael Skubala has said ahead of this match here, and get involved with our Lincoln City v Shrewsbury Town Match Thread!
Port Vale Game: It was an excellent defensive performance; dogged. The game needed seeing out with bodies on the line at times; Lucas (Jensen) dealt brilliantly with crosses. Neither side created many chances, the difference was that the Imps took theirs. Some moments with the ball, especially in the first half were really pleasing; at other times the play could have been transitioned better. Overall it was a tough place to go, up against a new Port Vale manager on a big pitch.
“It’s about getting on the road, getting points and that’s what counts at the minute”.
Outstanding Defensive Record: Lukas Jensen now has the second most clean sheets in league One with MS attributing that to being a whole team effort. The respective departments (forwards etc.) work hard to prevent the opposition moving the ball forward and that cascades down the team. Defending from the front thus, means there is less work for LJ to do.
“But when Lukas does have to do his work he has to do what he is paid for; which is coming for crosses, stopping goals, which he’s been brilliant at so far”.
Play Off Talk: It’s nice that the players have done well to put in the performances for the fans to get behind and it is nice the fans can be seen to be getting behind the team, but realistically the Imps are some way off the play offs so it has to be the old mantra of ‘game by game’.
“I said let’s see where we are at the end of the month and we’re not at the end of the month yet. I think the next couple of games are big for us…..Next couple of games see where we are after that”.
Shrewsbury Town: Taken learning for MS has been there are no nailed-on results to be had and ‘you’ can’t go into games thinking the side will dominate the opposition. The Imps face another side experiencing new manager bounce in Paul Hurst. PH has the Shrews well-coached and organised. It is a tough style to play against as they pack the middle of the pitch which causes games to be somewhat attritional at times; tough and hard fought.
Salop have players with ability in both boxes so it will be incumbent to stop their threats and look to aggressively take the game to Shrewsbury with the ball. The first goal is always vital (something like 70% rate results in not losing a game) as it disrupts the opponent’s tactics and that is something Lincoln have been quite good at.
Writer: hulloutpost
