Lincoln City took a point from yesterday’s match against former Premier League outfit Southampton in the EFL Championship, as new-man Mikkel Ladefoged’s late header rescued the Imps.
City went 1-0 down right before the interval, with the Saints’ Brazilian full-back, Welington producing a moment of brilliance from around 30-yards out, to completely shift the momentum of the match.
Speaking after the match, Imps head coach Tom Shaw admitted he was very pleased with how his side competed against the promotion hopefuls, as he said: “Myself and Chris are delighted with how the boys have applied themselves.
“People weren’t expecting us to compete with Southampton in the outside world as much as we did, physically, technically, tactically at times, we were excellent.
“We made it very uncomfortable for Southampton and that was the game plan for the last few days. So, very pleased.”
Shaw also reflected on the momentum swings that come with playing at this new level, admitting the Imps still have to find ways of sustaining pressure against sides capable of quickly turning the game around.
“I think, the swing of the Championship is amazing, there’s moments where you feel like you’re right on top and then the athleticism of the opposition really quickly defends your goal.
“We have to keep finding our way at this level of how we sustain our pressure, sustain attacks.”
One man that may help is 6’8 striker Mikkel Ladefoged and on him, the 39-year-old said: “When you watch all the practices in training, he’s got that obsession with scoring.
“Which you have to have as a centre-forward, he just wants to be under the post all the time, but we’ve got to help with his all-round general game.
“We need to Keep educating him on what the demands are and what it looks like, but he’s definitely got the ability to do it.”
The Dane’s aerial presence was particularly evident as he rose above the Southampton defence to head Reeco Hackett’s cross into the back of the net late on.
“In the penalty area, every time it goes in, you expect he doesn’t need to jump sometimes, but when you see him get above people, it’s a real threat and quite exciting.”
Tom Shaw’s side also had ten faces that brought them up from SkyBet League One and he said: “The lads that were in the team last season that got us promoted, most of them have had that opportunity and they’ve taken it with both hands.
“It’s a really positive start. If we win that game today, it’s a stunning start to the season, but it’s still a very, very positive start, and I just think that you see the growth in the players, the confidence in the players, I think, has just grown and grown.”
Shaw then singled out Freddie Draper as one player who has impressed him with his development during the opening stages of the campaign.
He said: “Freddie Draper springs to mind, just his first few appearances were good and now all of a sudden he’s bundling into people and his qualities coming through.”
With the point secured against the Saints, thoughts now shift towards the Imps’ next challenge as they travel to Premier League outfit Bournemouth in the third round of the EFL Carabao Cup.