Michael Skubala expressed pride at how his Lincoln City team ground out a tough away win against Stevenage.
The Imps rode their luck at times in the first-half, but eventually got on top and forced a penalty, which Jack Moylan converted to win the game on his first start of the campaign.
The City boss said: “We knew coming to this place it was going to be really tough, we knew it was going to be an attritional game of football and not much if you like pretty football, but we knew what it was going to be and had to stand up to it.
“I thought first half with the wind against us made it harder, but for 90 minutes it wasn’t a great game of football, but you have to win those and I’m really proud of the group that we come away on the road and get three points.”
In the first-half, Lincoln struggled to maintain any possession, Tom Bayliss and Jack Moylan especially were quiet. However, that changed after half-time.
“I think they had to do the work which is horrible in the first half against the wind and landing on second balls, it’s not natural to them they want to get on the ball so in the end the game is going over their heads. In the second-half we probably got more territory so we could play in their half and make them defend their goal,” Skubala explained.
A Re-Run of Michael Skubala’s First Lincoln City Game:
The Lamex Stadium was the location of Skubala’s first game as Lincoln manager in November 2023, with Stevenage running out 1-0 winners that day. The Imps boss was quizzed on what was different this time around.
He said: “We’re a young group, but we’re not going to be bullied. We respect everyone, but we won’t fear anyone, if people want to bully us, we’ll fight back.
“The depth of the group allows us to keep the level and intensity and allows us to go and win the game. When we came here last year, we got beat up a little bit, but I didn’t feel that today.”
When asked by The Linc if nine months on it feels more like his Lincoln team now than the squad he inherited, Skubala said: “Yes, but it’s a new team, so yes because we’ve got 13 changes, so in principal yes but probably not the game today. It definitely feels more like the team we want to be, but there are changes so we’re still growing. But, it’s important to get the win and grow at the same time.”
Imps captain Paudie O’Connor was a sure bet for man of the match despite an altercation in the depths of added time saw the defender sent off for a second bookable offence.
Skubala was keen to praise his skipper, before discussing the dismissal: “I thought Paudie was magnificent, everything that flicked in there, he was magnificent with the fist contacts. He was a true captain today he headed everything, first contacts and then [Adam Jackson] on second contacts.
“It’s just a shame at the end, I don’t know what’s gone on for the second yellow, but he was great today.”
One Final Piece of Transfer Business:
The Transfer window slammed shut on Friday evening and Lincoln confirmed one final singing with Saxon Earley arriving on loan from Plymouth Argyle.
Skubala said: “He can play left wing back, left back, he’s a great athlete, he’s a great character. Coming back from a long-term injury, but he’s had pre-season, so he’s not undercooked. As you know he’s been at Plymouth, so he gives us a little bit of cover if we lose anyone.
Lincoln City return to action on Tuesday night, against Chesterfield in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy.