Ahead of an ‘undoubtedly tough’ Sky Bet League One fixture against promotion hopefuls Oxford United, Lincoln City Head Coach, Mark Kennedy, believes it would be ‘ignorant’ and ‘arrogant’ to think the Imps will have any easy games this season.
Lincoln head to Oxfordshire hoping to maintain their unbeaten start to the season, after drawing 1-1 with newly promoted Forest Green at the LNER Stadium on Saturday.
On the challenge of facing Karl Robinson’s squad, Kennedy said: “Ultimately we’ll be up against a very good side. A side that will be looking at the promotion/playoff places for sure. You look at their form over the last few years and with Karl, they’re an excellent footballing side and they’re always there or thereabouts.
“I think they’re all tough games, we can’t be arrogant or ignorant enough to think we’ll have any easy games in the league, that’s one thing I’m sure of. But, undoubtedly it’ll be a tough game”.
New signing, Jordon Garrick, impressed after coming on for midfielder Tashan Oakley-Boothe who was suffering from illness against Forest Green. Looking back at the timing of Garrick’s debut for the Imps, Kennedy said: “It wasn’t ideal and it wasn’t planned. But when we spoke to sports’ science and the performance team they were happy for him to come on.
“I think you’ve seen what he can offer us, what he can do. The key thing for Jordon is because he is behind everybody in terms of minutes, is actually getting him on the pitch. I think just like a racehorse, he will be better for it”.
In his post match interview after the Forest Green draw, the Irish Head Coach, revealed that he did not know of Oakley-Boothe’s situation ahead of the game.
Since the match, Kennedy added: “I’m very open with my players, I don’t want heroes. I want players that are 100% fit to play if possible. In terms of illness, I said to Tashan- please don’t worry if you’re struggling. I’ve got plenty of people ready to play, it’s not about you or any individual. It’s about the club.
“You just want players to be professional and recognise that the most important thing is the team and not themselves. Tashan is a super impressive guy, when you look at the other side, the character and the type of person. He is somebody I feel really lucky to have at the club”.