Lincoln City head coach Michael Skubala has been named Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month for September after his side collected 10 points from 4 league fixtures.
The Imps secured away wins at Peterborough United and Burton Albion, alongside a home victory against promotion favourites Luton Town at the LNER Stadium. A further draw ensured City completed the month unbeaten in the league, maintaining the strong start that has characterised their early campaign.
Skubala Lauds The Whole Setup
Speaking after receiving the award, Skubala was quick to share the recognition with his players and colleagues, underlining the collective effort behind the results. Tom Shaw and Chris Cohen are his assistant coaches, but he’s also currently batting with 2 goalkeeper coaches, Scott Fry who is QPR-bound, and David Preece.
“It’s nice to pick up this accolade but I’m just at the front of what is a very good team of players and staff.”
He pointed to the balance of his squad, crediting the blend of experience added over the summer and the contribution of staff working across the club.
“We’ve got a good balanced squad, having added some experience to the group this summer, and a really hard-working staff – both the technical coaches and everyone who supports us at the club from the groundstaff to our chef.”
Skubala, the first Lincoln manager to win the award since Danny Cowley in 2018, also stressed that the award reflected only a part of a longer campaign, and that the team’s challenge was to maintain the same standards each month.
“They work really hard every day which led to us getting the results we did. It’s only a snippet of our season and our challenge is to go again and keep doing the best we can each month.”
City return to action a week on Saturday when they take on league leaders Stevenage, looking to return to the positive form that defined September. The award marks further recognition of the progress being made under Skubala since his appointment, and the unity that continues to underpin his squad’s performances.
Expert’s View
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “There is no doubting that Micheal Skubala’s Lincoln City were the inform team in September. They picked up 10 points from four unbeaten games and ran World Champions Chelsea very close in the League Cup.
“Wins over Burton, Luton and Peterborough helped The Imps climb to third in League One.”
Danny Wilson chairs the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month judging panel. He said: “10 points and 4 unbeaten games lifted Lincoln into a healthy third place endorsing Michael’s reputation as a very talented young coach.”
Writer’s View
September’s unbeaten run reinforced the stability Lincoln City have built under Michael Skubala. 10 points from 4 games, including 2 impressive away wins and a home victory against one of the division’s favourites, underlines a side that is efficient, organised and increasingly confident in its approach.
The Manager of the Month award serves as both recognition of that progress and a reminder of the collective standards driving it. Attention now turns to October, and the chance to turn a strong month into sustained momentum.
