Reading manager Noel Hunt is under no illusions that his side are in for a battle when they host Lincoln City on Good Friday.
The Royals are well placed to secure a League One play-off place after enjoying an excellent second half of the season. They currently sit in sixth, three points above seventh-placed Leyton Orient. However, the O’s do possess a superior goal difference.
There are just four games remaining of the regular season, with Reading kicking off their run-in against mid-table Lincoln. The Imps looked well-placed to challenge for a top six place, even moving into the play-off positions with a 2-0 win over Reading in December.
Michael Skubala’s team suffered a dreadful relapse in form from then though, and a 1-1 draw with Shrewsbury Town last weekend mathematically ruled them out of a chance of extending their season.
Hunt Wary Of Lincoln Threat
Hunt took over the job from Ruben Selles in December. The early signs weren’t promising, with the trip to the LNER Stadium a stark wake up call. They were largely outclassed on that day, with the final 2-0 result arguably flattering the Berkshire-based side.
Whilst the two sides have been on different trajectories since, the former Republic of Ireland international is well aware of the threat Lincoln possess. Speaking to official club media, he said:
“They have got good players, a real good hardworking team they have players we know well like Ben House who spent time here and James Collins who are big strong lads up front and they do the basics well so we are expecting a difficult afternoon.
“It’ll be a tough game. They’ve always been organised and strong I don’t think they have many players under six foot. So it will be one of them games where it’ll be a tough physical challenge for our young boys. There’s no easy game in this division, this is not an easy game we’re not we’re not gonna kid ourselves. We’ve taken a lot of time to get the detail right with and without the ball. So it’ll be again understanding what they are trying to do, and stop that and trying to impose ourselves on the game.”
Writer’s View
Lincoln are not a team that many will fancy facing at the tail end of the season. They are a physical outfit that can mix with the best in the division on their day and will still have a huge say in the promotion race. Following their clash with Reading, they face other promotion contenders Stockport County, Bolton Wanderers and Wrexham. The Imps are still hoping for secure a top half finish, so Hunt is right to be wary. They won’t have one foot on the beach, that’s for sure.
