Lincoln City’s Ted Bishop was full of praise for head coach Michael Skubala and the new strike partnership of Joe Taylor and Freddie Draper, as the Imps drew with Derby County.
The Lincoln midfielder was happy with their performance, picking up a hard-earned point.
Bishop said: “The difference today was that we actually had a threat, we could score goals. That’s no disrespect to anyone who has played previously, it’s just the fact that we’ve got new bodies in the building and a different dynamic up-front. On a different day I think we could’ve taken three points.”
Taylor and Draper posing a threat:
On City’s new strike partners, he said: “It’s scary because they’ve only been playing together a week, so you can imagine if they can strike up a real partnership it could be really effective for us.”
Joe Taylor starred, threatening with his pace against a strong Derby backline.
Bishop said: “I didn’t even know he was that quick. That gave us a different dynamic, it was an out ball, and I thought he did really well, showed his pace. On another day he gets a couple of goals.”
He also praised Freddie Draper, as he played at the LNER Stadium for the first time since he was recalled from his loan spell at Walsall.
“He’s a completely different player. Obviously you could see the talent he had before, but it was raw. Whereas now I think his touch has improved, I think he’s got fitter, he’s stronger, he’s really filled into his body. He can be a real player for the future,” Bishop said.
The Imps first signing of the January transfer window was Jack Moylan, who completed his move from Shelbourne. Bishop has been impressed by the Irishman.
He said: “He’s really good. He’s been training really well. He’s surprised me actually because you never know when these players come in, who they’re going to adapt and how long it might take them.”
Thankful for Michael Skubala:
Ted Bishop also praised his head coach, thanking Skubala for his game time over recent weeks.
He said: “I can’t really thank him enough, because as soon as I was back fit he’s put me straight back in the middle. That’s where I like playing, I think that’s where I’m most effective, so he’s been really good with me so far.”
The Imps were cheered on by the vast majority of a 9,700 crowd at the LNER Stadium.
Bishop said: “The fans were brilliant all game, I think without them it could be a different game. They pushed us all the way, and credit to them.”
Could it have been more?
“It’s bitter sweet really, because we feel we deserve the three points, but recently we haven’t really deserved many points. So, it’s a good thing almost and it gives us belief going into next week,” Bishop said.
The goalless draw stretched Lincoln’s winless run to nine games, but that only told half the story. The City midfielder was clear that the result was a positive one.
He said: “You have to keep picking up points in this division. It’s another game at home where we haven’t lost, so that’s really good for us. We just need to build some momentum now going into next week.”
Michael Skubala’s side welcome Peterborough United for another big game next Saturday.