Lincoln City manager, David Holdsworth is looking forward to the challenge which FC Halifax Town will pose in the fourth round of qualifying in the FA Cup, while also reflecting on a busy few days for the Imps.
Last Saturday saw Holdsworth’s men sink to a disappointing 2-1 defeat at home to Luton Town, while a heroic rear-guard effort on Tuesday allowed the Imps to pick up a point on the road against Mansfield.
Holdsworth commended on the defensive work of his players ahead of the weekend’s fixtures: “As I said before, it’s not been rocket science. It’s just individuals making sure they’re doing their own jobs.
“It typified what I’ve been trying to say for a while now. If we do get rid of those sorts of errors and play as a unit, as we did on Tuesday night, we will get good results.”
He continued: “Paul Farman on Saturday made probably one of his first mistakes in goal and he got punished. It was a little thing that turned into a goal, but concentration levels were high on Tuesday and we can take a lot of encouragement from that. “
Peter Gilbert, who signed for the club only a week ago, has started the last two fixtures after not playing competitive football since last May.
Speaking about Gilbert, Holdsworth said: “Peter is a strong character. He’s got a good pedigree and I’ve known him really since he was a little baby at Birmingham. I’ve seen him play and do a very good job for teams and I thought he was solid on Tuesday night.”
He added: “It’s always expected that they’ll be tired, but Peter did a good job and used his experience well and I think that rubbed off on the people in front of him, as well as the people behind him and next to him.”
Nottingham Forest loanee, David Morgan has also impressed over the last few games, after being given a difficult role in midfield for the weekend’s fixture against Luton.
Holdsworth said: “I very much hope that he will come back. It’s very much in the hands of Nottingham Forrest and I am eager to explore whether I can.
“He’s away with Northern Ireland until Sunday. After that we will establish whether we can have him back after that. I really do hope so as I think he has learnt a great deal and if we do keep him I’ll be delighted.”
Looking ahead to the weekend, Holdsworth agreed that it would be a tough fixture away to Wrexham: “We knew October would be a very tough month, but I think Tuesday’s performance will give us confidence.
“We kept a clean sheet against one of the top teams in the division. With the size and the quality of their squad, I think the boys should take plaudits from that. It shows we have got some good confidence in the team at the moment.”
Imps’ youth team manager, Grant Brown was part of Holdsworth’s backroom staff for the fixture last Saturday.
Holdsworth explained: “I don’t want to keep changing staff as it’s an important part of any manager’s make up. But, since I have been here, I’ve known the outline. I couldn’t have an assistant manager and I have had to be practical with that.
“I didn’t feel like it was the right time to bring anyone new in and I thought it was the right time to bring in Grant. I got the chairman’s blessing to do so and Grant has the club at heart.”
Lincoln City’s next fixtures see them face Wrexham FC this weekend and an FA Cup qualifying tie against FC Halifax next week.