Lincoln City head coach Michael Skubala is keen to extend the Imps’ good run, as they prepare for a trip to Port Vale in SkyBet League One.
The City boss said: “We want to keep the run going. There’s no doubt about that, of course we want to keep the run going. We need to take every game as it comes and it’s really good that when we come in we felt like we were in a good place, even though we weren’t picking up points, then we starting to pick up draws and touch wood we’ve changed those draws into wins.”
“Now we want to keep getting points on the board, and now if we can take some more points from these next two games, I think it’s good,” he added.
Lincoln have registered four clean sheets in their last six games, solidifying a defensive core behind a rejuvenated strike-force.
Skubala said: “Everyone talks about scoring goals and being good with the ball and possession, but ultimately if you don’t concede many goals then you have a chance to win. I think at this level, and at every level, if you’re solid defensively then you have every chance.”
Joe Taylor opens Imps account:
On the other end of the pitch, Joe Taylor notched his first goal in City colours against Exeter City.
“It’s a relief and a pressure off him to get it because he loves scoring goals. He’s confident he can score, but I think it’s one of those things where he relaxes a little bit into his game now he doesn’t have to go chasing it,” Skubala said.
He added: “I was really pleased with him. He probably should’ve scored before if we’re honest and I think he was honest about that, because we created some good chances through him. It’s good to get his first goal…but now we can focus on other parts of his game that he needs to improve on.”
Luton Town-loanee Taylor is 21 years old, so still has plenty of time to grow and evolve his game.
The former Leeds United under-21s boss, Skubala, said: “He needs to get better at anticipating things and being more direct at times, so we’re working hard with Joe on all parts of his game.”
Good and bad news on the injury front:
“It’s good to not have a Tuesday game, to have a bit of a rest and try and get some bodies back in if we can,” Skubala said to BBC Radio Lincolnshire‘s Michael Hortin.
It’s been almost a week since Lincoln’s win over Exeter, with Reeco Hackett, Freddie Draper and Adam Jackson among those out injured for that game.
On Hackett, the Imps boss said: “Reeco is close. We think he will take some part in the game on Saturday, which is great.”
In terms of Draper’s injury, he added: “Freddie is out at the minute, so we think he’s probably ten or 14 days away.”
Jackson’s broken nose has kept him out of recent games, and he isn’t expected to travel to Port Vale.
“Jacko is in a mask. He’s back in training, but we think that’s probably a bit too earlier for this Saturday,” Skubala said.
The head coach confirmed that Jackson will likely be unavailable for another week. There is also doubt over Ethan Hamilton‘s fitness, as Skubala added that he may miss the next game.
On Port Vale:
The Lincoln boss was in attendance for Port Vale’s defeat to Reading in midweek, assessing Darren Moore’s side before they face his men this weekend.
Skubala said: “They were organised, more aggressive than I’ve seen them before, trying to play forward as quick as possible. They had a really good structure behind the ball and tried to press Reading in a way, we know Reading are good on the ball, but at times they couldn’t get out.”
“We expect them to be on the front-foot, more so than they have been over recent games and recent months as a team,” he added.
The Valiants haven’t pick up a win in their last eight games, but pose a threat to City with new manager Darren Moore at the helm for their relegation scrap.