Ahead of the final season-defining fixture against champions Portsmouth, Michael Skubala set out the mentality the Imps will require to prevail.
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Get involved on the forum: Match Thread: Lincoln City v Portsmouth
Cheltenham: The match was always going to be difficult bearing in mind what was on the game for the Robins, not helped by a slow start from the Imps. However, MS felt that as the team grew into the game they became more themselves, putting in a fantastic second-half display which created a lot of pressure accordingly and ended up running out as deserved winners.
The goal from Freddie Draper was a great take on his thigh and finish, coming from Lincoln getting the ball and player numbers into the box which allowed the quality to show in the end.
Portsmouth: MS feels the players have earned the right to have a match with the pressure on it that playing Portsmouth brings. The players are excited for the fans and keep talking about how the ground will be rocking. They and the staff are really proud to be in the position they are and are looking to make the LNER a tough place for Portsmouth to come.
“We’re going to have a go at the champions. What better way to try and get into that play-offs”.
MS views Pompey as worthy champions, dismissing any notion they ‘will be on the beach’. Portsmouth are professionals, it is professional football. There are contracts to be earned, players want to be in the side next year, so Portsmouth will not be coming to lie down. The Imps and Pompey have almost identical records over the last 15 games and as such it is a game that could go either way. However, the Imps can only look at the game from a winning point of view. It’s no good thinking a draw will be sufficient as MS fully expects the other sides in the play-off frame to get the wins they need.
Without doubt, the staff will keep a calm measured eye on what is happening in ‘the other’ games, fully aware of all the permutations but it remains irrelevant in so much as even if games are being drawn elsewhere with ten minutes to go, that can all change in one or two minutes.
“Ultimately when you keep looking and going back to it, it’s going to be down to winning this game against a very good Portsmouth team”.
On the injury front, Reeco Hackett-Fairchild will not make this game and in truth may well be done for the season regardless of the Portsmouth outcome. Teddy Bishop is ‘touch and go’ but MS did hint that an unidentified player may be ‘back’, subject to further assessment.
New Investment from the USA: MS has had the opportunity to meet new investors Ron and Andy Fowler and was suitably enthused resultingly – it’s great news. He noted that they bring a wealth of sports experience with them from the US. What is being built off the pitch at Lincoln, around the football is really positive and going in the right direction. As a head coach and as fans it helps to know things are going really well.
Off the pitch, Lincoln is growing, creating and building the club in so many places and as such the investment is not about simple terms such as transfer money.
“I think what Lincoln has done here way before my time, is be clever and outsmart; in terms of how it builds the club and not rush things too quick. That’s why I think we’re in the situation we’re in now”.
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