Ahead of the crunch trip to Cheltenham Town, Michael Skubala assessed the options and approach required to face an opponent fighting to avoid relegation.
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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!
Oxford United: The Imps had headed into the game in full recognizance that all three points were required. Effort wise the players gave everything and tactically were fantastic. The fans were amazing, particularly so on Tuesday night with MS thanking the supporters for travelling and supporting as they did.
MS was asked about the emergence of the Imps as a streetwise side. He took the view that whilst it is not generally something that young players are naturally good at, without doubt how games are seen out is something that can be taught. It was first seen when Lincoln were reduced to ten men at Burton. Game management is definitely part of the game but there is a line to be taken within that. How games are managed (correctly) is really important.
Even so, the league outcome remains in the hands of Oxford, with MS confirming the game between them and Stevenage will be taken in on the TV by the squad from their hotel on Friday night.
Ethan Erhahon: The midfielder is developing, getting better all the time – it is worth bearing in mind that Ethan is still a young player with a large scope for further development and has a big future ahead of him. MS had tasked Ethan with impacting (consistently) in every game and ‘we’ are seeing him take control progressively more in terms of looking after the midfield well, clearing up ‘the bits’ and now as can be seen, working on forward passes to start attacks.
“I think he’s been phenomenal in the last few games in terms of how he’s controlled midfield”.
Football Association Business: Regarding the disciplinary hearing arising from player conduct pertaining to the home fixture with Wigan Athletic, MS took a measured viewpoint and explained he would need to sit down with Jez George and Liam Scully to consider the club’s response; although he thinks an appeal is likely. MS saw the charge as disappointing on the basis that whilst emotions were understandably high, he viewed Wigan as the aggressors on the occasion under review.
In relation to breaking news that FA Cup replays will be dispensed with from Round One onwards (forum discussion here), MS saw that as disappointing for clubs like Lincoln plus lower league clubs. Even though he has worked ‘on the other side of the fence’, in the PL with Leeds and could understand the thinking to a degree, MS asserted his values.
“First and foremost with those decisions, you have to protect your history and culture and how you do things in England…..so for me, it’s a little bit disappointing”.
Cheltenham Town: The dislocated shoulder for Reeco Hackett-Fairchild was confirmed. Whilst the player will not be available for the weekend it is the type of injury that could go ‘either way’. Possibly it could be season over, requiring circa. three months of rehabilitation or even surgery in a worst-case scenario; alternatively it could be managed until the end of the season. Reeco is to see a specialist and have another scan imminently, so more will be known then.
The loss of Reeco is another blow on the injury front, especially in light of him being a midfielder and compounded by Dylan Duffy being suspended as a result of his sending-off at Oxford. Some thought is going into selecting somebody to fill the left-wing back role against the Robins. It has to be the best option to nullify the Cheltenham attacking threat whilst retaining enough potency to cause some damage when the Imps are ‘going the other way’.
“We’ve just got to get the balance of the team right”.
The Cheltenham fixture is a huge game for both sides. Darrell Clarke (Cheltenham manager) has done an amazing job since taking over, to lift them from the position the Robins were in, to the extent that the club have given themselves a chance of avoiding relegation at this late stage of the season. MS made the argument for Clarke to be League One manager of the season if Cheltenham complete their escape from relegation.
The match will be tough, Cheltenham is a hard place to go to; sometimes it is even more difficult to face a side fighting against the drop. MS knows and expects what will be thrown at his side and is in no doubt it will be a very different game to that seen last time out at Oxford. It is incumbent of the Imps to manage the game effectively and when ‘it’ settles down, impose their own quality on the match.
Writer: hulloutpost
Skubala: "You have to protect your history and culture and how you do things in England."https://t.co/ZSFP1OHicT#CTFC #WeAreImps #FACup #FACupBoycott
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) April 18, 2024
