Michael Skubala said Lincoln City‘s victory over Bristol Rovers was one of the most pleasing performances he has seen for his team this season.
The Imps cruised to a dominant 5-0 win, with Tom Bayliss and James Collins scoring stunning goals to add to Jovon Makama’s imperious hat-trick.
The City head coach said: “We were exciting and we want to score goals, we want to defend well and other than the first five minutes against Crawley I think we’ve dominated all of those [last two home] games and been really on top.
“And, I think that takes some performances from the lads over those 90 minutes in both.”
The win sealed consecutive three point hauls at the LNER Stadium, the first time Lincoln had managed that since late October.
“I think that performance is one of the most pleasing performances for me this season.” – Lincoln City head coach Michael Skubala
Skubala added: It’s what we want to be, and we will keep pushing and we’ll keep going. It’s obvious and not a statement to say that it’s easier sometimes against the teams that want to play, and again when teams want to pass the ball you are going to have a tough game against us.
“The sweet spot we are trying to find is when teams want to launch it on us, but I thought today we did that well, we did both well. We got it that right today in terms of when they were direct we could deal with it and when they tried to play with it we dealt with it.”
Lincoln looked electric according to the City boss, having simply too much for their relegation-threatened opponents.
“It was a great afternoon of football from start to finish, I thought we were top. And, that’s what we want to look like, I thought when we get it right we are electric and when we get it wrong it’s not so good, but I thought everyone today was top,” he explained.
Sticking to the gameplan:
Skubala cut a delighted figure in his post-match interview, going on to say: “Tactically, I thought the lads today stuck to the plan brilliantly, the structure was great, very similar to Crawley. We had a really narrow structure and looked exciting when going forward.
“Principally it has never changed, it looks different and I get that, but I remember playing these at home last season and we did the same. Sometimes it works and sometimes we haven’t got it going, but today for 90 minutes we just looked top.”
Bristol Rovers were limited to very few shots on goal in the game, one which Lincoln dominated from start to finish.
The Imps gaffer said: “They didn’t lay a glove, and that just shows how connected we are with the backline, how aggressive we want to be. We think about all the attacking moments today, but the defensive structure and the build-up with the ball, we were really great.
“We moved the ball very well at times, really good through the lines, but we have to defend well to not give them a sniff. And, I think the backline was very strong and aggressive.”
“Unplayable” hat-trick hero Jovon Makama:
“He was unplayable today. I think when I came into the building, I said that this kid has got talent but you’re going to have to wait for it,” Skubala said.
Makama secured his first career hat-trick, putting Lincoln into stride for their three points.
The Lincoln City head coach continued: “His challenge is being consistent and keeping doing that, but when he gets it right like today you see his technical quality, you see his power, you see his physicality, and you see everything that he has got.
“Today was a special performance from him, and I thought his goals were magnificent.
“I still think he’s got more to improve, I still think he can get better, that’s the crazy bit. He’s absolutely destroyed their left side and he just looked so good today, but he’s still got lots to learn and lots to improve on… but today he was just unplayable.”
The Imps host Exeter City next Saturday, looking to add a third home victory in succession.