Michael Skubala described Lincoln City‘s defeat to Blackpool as a tough one to take, as he also shared an update on Ben House’s injury and transfer business.
The Imps lost 2-0 to Steve Bruce’s side, with goals in each half sealing victory in a solid away performance from the Seasiders.
Speaking to BBC Radio Lincolnshire, Skubala said: “It’s a tough one to take because I think we had something like 40 odd box entries, creating chances, but it just felt like it wasn’t going to go in tonight. And credit to them, I thought they defended very, very well.”
He said the goals conceded were both soft, and not like Lincoln’s usual defensive solidity.
The Imps head coach also lamented James Collins’ disallowed strike, as the January recruit was denied by the linesman’s flag with just ten minutes left in the game.
“One little criticism is the final quality, the final action, the final ball. It wasn’t through effort, it wasn’t through trying… maybe just that final end product of putting the ball in the box,” he added.
Ben House taken off injured:
Ben House was substituted in the first-half after receiving treatment, and Skubala gave an update on the striker’s situation after the game.
He said: “It looks like a really bad dead leg, so he couldn’t run anymore. He basically got a knee into the thigh, so it’s a dead leg. It’s not a strain, it’s not a pull, but sometimes these take a week, 10 days, or two weeks. So, we’ll see how that is.”
![Lincoln City fall to defeat against Blackpool. Credit: Graham Burrell](https://usercontent.one/wp/thelinc.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/20250128210028_R6M12756_edit_27937276837923-350x224.jpeg?media=1735581802)
Transfer window update:
The winter transfer window has entered its final week, with clubs having until Monday, February 3, to seal their deals.
Skubala said he wants to keep hold off everyone in his squad, and added: “We’re still looking, we’ve still got things going on but there are lots of movements starting to happen. We think next Sunday is going to be chaos.
“We are still having lots of talks, but nothing is happening yet. Obviously, there is a lot of trickle down effect with players in the Premier League… so it’s not like we’re closed and not doing anything.
“But, if I had to go with nothing else and we carried on with this group then we are really happy. If we can strengthen in depth and get cover and support in certain areas, I think we need to do that.”
![Lincoln City sealed the return of experienced midfielder Sam Clucas. Credit: Chris Vaughan](https://usercontent.one/wp/thelinc.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/CV29_Imps-Clucas_250116-350x233.jpeg?media=1735581802)
When pushed by The Linc on which positions Lincoln were targeting, the Imps boss kept his cards close to his chest.
He said: “There’s a couple, but I don’t want to say what it is. There is a couple that I think we need cover on and there’s a couple that if we think we can add in terms of depth, then that’s really important to us.”
Lincoln have already signed 34-year-old duo Sam Clucas and the aforementioned Collins this month.
January coming to an end:
Skubala offered a reflection on January as a whole, when quizzed by The Linc.
“The last couple of games, I think Peterborough we were electric, we blew them away, we were absolutely on top of them. Tonight, in moments we performed well, and Northampton was a different type of game,” he said.
The Imps beat Peterborough United and Northampton Town after a difficult run to start the new year.
Skubala continued: “I think that’s the challenge with League One, all the days are so different… we turned the corner and got a couple of wins, and a draw at Stevenage which is good.
“Tonight is a disappointing result, but the performance was there, we just didn’t score the goal we needed to.”
Next up for Lincoln City is a trip to Wigan Athletic to start February.