Lincoln City head coach Michael Skubala was “very pleased” after the dramatic draw with Barnsley in his first home game in charge of the Imps.
He spoke to the media after what he described as a “well earned point”, and said: “I think they were immense…some of the energy we showed after playing three games in seven days was amazing.”
Speaking to LincSport, Skubala said: “I think it showed their character. The mentality was brilliant. If we’re behind we will push the game. So, we went to a back four and tried to get more bodies up the pitch. I just thought they were brilliant in that moment, people like Alex Mitchell drove the game and Adam Jackson going up for headers. I think their desire is there and clear to see.”
After what was his first game at the LNER Stadium, speaking to BBC Radio Lincolnshire, the head coach said: “I think the atmosphere was great, and I think the fans helped with the push because three games in seven days is all in our legs and we’ve got a few injuries, so some players are playing more minutes.”
He added: “When the fans get behind the team you can really feel it here.”
Skubala has now taken charge of three Imps game, with a win, a loss and a draw so far. On his team, he said: “I think they’re an honest and hard-working group, and they’re really good in those periods.”
Jovon Makama was handed his first league start for City, and almost rewarded his boss with a goal in the first-half. Skubala said: “I thought Jovon did well when he come on at Leyton Orient and I think it’s really important to reward every players if they come on and do well.”
Injury Update:
There was good and bad news for the Imps on the injury front. The good news was that Ted Bishop returned as a second-half substitute.
Skubala said: “That was nice to see. I think we all see his quality.”
However, Sean Roughan remained out and missed the visit of Barnsley.
The head coach said: “He’s been away with Ireland [national team] for two tough games and he felt something, we think he might’ve picked it up in Ireland. It was just too much of a risk with the bodies we’ve got out at the minute. So, it’s just being careful, because if we keep losing bodied we’re going to be even more under the pump.”
Lasse Sorensen left the field in the second-half with a knock. When asked by LincSport’s Jamie Johnson about a possible injury, Skubala said: “Lasse covers lots of kilometres, he’s done loads of games, so we’ll have to assess it. I think he’s just really tired and we have to be honest, he gives everything, every game. So, I think he’s just really tired after all the games he’s been playing.”
Skubala was clear to stress that: “One thing we don’t want to do with players is put them on and they come off and we lose them for another six weeks.”
Lincoln travel south on Tuesday night as they visit Cambridge United in another SkyBet League One test.