Interim head coach Tom Shaw spoke for the first time in the role ahead of Lincoln City’s trip to Fleetwood Town on Saturday, October 21st.
Shaw said: “We feel we’re well prepared and the preparation started way back, it wasn’t just on Wednesday night.” Adding that: “We have a good idea of what’s coming.”
Shaw was the first-team coach before stepping into interim charge when Mark Kennedy departed on Wednesday. He said: “It’s felt a bit different in the camp, but this is a football club that’s filled with some top, top people off and on the pitch.”
When ask about Mark Kennedy’s dismissal he said: “The important bit is how you respond. I think as a club we’ve done that very well.”
Shaw stressed the importance of what he called a “winning edge”. And added: “My situation at this point is to make sure the players are in the best place possible.”
Our reporter James Yarrow asked him about the impact Danny Mandroiu’s absence will have. He said: “Danny is an incredibly talented footballer.” Adding: “He will be a miss.”
Lee Johnson’s Fleetwood provide a tough test despite sitting in the relegation zone. The interim head coach said: “We know we’ve got a very tough game up at Fleetwood.”
“These players are brilliant lads. They’re very together and they drive each other on,” he said.
Club Captain Paudie O’Connor also spoke ahead of the Fleetwood Town game. He said: “We have to get behind [Tom Shaw] and prepare for the game on Saturday.”
On Mark Kennedy and now former assistant head coach Danny Butterfield he said: “They’ve been good for us. We’ve given it our all together as a group. So, we can only thank them for their efforts.”
He believes the players should take some of the responsibility for Kennedy’s dismissal. Saying: “As captain, you’ve got to look at yourself and suppose try and reflect how we’ve done in the last few weeks. I don’t think it’s been a lack of effort. We do need to take a bit of responsibility.”
“It 100% effects us. It’s never nice when a manager losses his job, but it’s about reacting as quick as we can.”
On interim head coach Tom Shaw, he said: “He’s a great guy. He’s well respected within the group. He’s obviously a very good coach.”
The Irishman had a word on Jake Vale too, who has returned to the fold after an injury. Vale is expected to play some part in the game against Fleetwood. O’Connor said: “It’s great to have him involved. We’re more than happy to have him for the season.”
The game is a chance for Lincoln City to bounce back from a poor run of just two wins in their last ten games.