Blackpool manager Steve Bruce has lauded Lincoln City ahead of tonight’s clash between the two League One promotion contenders.
The 63-year-old returned to management last month after a near two-year absence when he was named as Neil Critchley’s successor. After a rocky start, which saw the Tangerines remain winless from their opening four games, Bruce’s arrival has sparked a revitalisation. He has taken charge of four fixtures to date, picking up maximum points to lift his new side up to fourth in the table.
Tonight, he prepares his team for a new challenge in what is expected to be a pulsating tie at Bloomfield Road. Lincoln will arrive in Lancashire level on points with their opponents, albeit with a superior goal difference and having played one game less.
Like Blackpool, a change of head coach proved to be a catalyst. Michael Skubala replaced Michael Appleton last November at the LNER Stadium and after a slow start to his tenure, kicked into life at the turn of the year.
The Imps narrowly missed out on a place in the play-offs last season. Their 16-game unbeaten run between January and April saw them become the most in-form team in the country, but it eventually proved too-little-too-late after they suffered defeat against champions Portsmouth on the final day.
There have been no signs of a hangover though. A series of good signings over the summer has seen their start bettered by only Birmingham City and Wrexham. Their 2-0 win over Cambridge United on Saturday saw them extend their away unbeaten run to 13 games, a new club record.
It’s a run which stretches back to New Year’s Day when, ironically, Blackpool recorded a 2-0 win. As a result, Bruce is expecting this to be the toughest fixture of his short reign to date:
“This is probably going to the biggest test as Lincoln are a good side,” he told official club media. “They haven’t lost away from home in around 13 games, which tells you a lot about them. It will be totally different to what we experienced at the weekend (against Burton Albion). A different challenge but one the team are looking forward to due to the form we are in.
“They are very difficult to break down, they don’t give much away.
“They’ve been a very good team for the best part of a year now. We need the supporters to get behind us in all their might in what will be a really difficult game.”
Writer’s View
There aren’t many teams that will relish facing Lincoln at the moment. Michael Skubala has built a side who know exactly how to operate and even though they have their injury concerns, they now have a more-rounded squad. This makes them unpredictable, which is a nightmare for an opposing manager.
Like Blackpool, the Imps have been quietly going about their business in the season’s early stages. There aren’t many from the media world which see them breaking into the top six. However, that view is unlikely to be shared by those in charge of other clubs in League One, who will see Lincon as a team very capable of pushing for promotion this season. Tonight could give us a very early glimpse of two teams that could be battling it out in the play-offs next May.
Be the first to comment