Lincoln City head coach Michael Skubala was pleased with his side’s performance in their goalless draw against Peterborough United on Saturday, but stressed that it’s the level of performance required.
He said: “I think we need to make sure that we keep that level of performance, especially without the ball. Then we need to hurt teams more when we have the ball. We need to keep that level. If they are promotion chasing teams, then it shows what level we can be at, especially without the ball, so we need to keep that level.”
It was the second goalless draw within a week, after the same result against fellow promotion-favourites Derby County, but Skubala felt three points was not out of the equation.
He said: “Peterborough for me are a top team. They are great with the ball, and they score some good goals, and get after teams well. We knew that we weren’t going to have more of the possession. The tactics were to play on the counter, because we think we could hurt them on that.”
The Imps boss added: “After 90 minutes, we had some good chances in the game and a point is good, but I thought we done enough to win the game. I’m really pleased with their efforts and that it’s a point but sometimes you think it got away from us.”
Defensive stronghold:
Again, a strong and resilient display was shown from the Imps defence, that included Reeco Hackett performing at left wing-back at times.
Skubala said: “The backline today were phenomenal. You know they are going to have one or two moments where they are going to open you up, but I have seen them over the last five games, and they open teams up all the time. Today they couldn’t do that. I think that when they went to a back five at the end, or a back three, it’s a compliment to us that they couldn’t find a way through.”
The Lincoln head coach was impressed with makeshift wing-back Reeco Hackett.
“I thought he was phenomenal [Hackett]. He is a real asset to us as we know he can play high, and we know he can play there as well. What I really like about him is that he is not just playing there he can get on as well and he can put crosses into the box so he’s a great player and he’s got a big future,” he said.
Injury worries:
The game was not completely full of positives for the Imps.
Midfielder Teddy Bishop went down after the hour mark injured and the City head coach said: “We need to assess Teddy. We aren’t sure how he is going to be. We will assess him on Monday, so we don’t know if that is going to be short or long term. He has been great so far and even in there he was good today, he has just felt his hamstring or his back, so we need to be careful with him.”
Transfer window update:
The January transfer window closes on Thursday evening, and the Imps boss has been vocal in his want for some more experience within his ranks.
He said: “We do need one to come in. If we can get two then great, I think one I will be happy with. We are looking at the different options in there. I would like a midfielder in. Everyone is chasing the same players. This is a hard window, and we know that Jez [George] and Liam [Scully] are working hard, they know what we need. We just have to stay patient and calm.”
Next up for the Imps is a trip to Burton Albion, before welcoming Fleetwood Town to the LNER Stadium on February 10th.