
I missed Michael Skubala’s post-match interview, but having listened back this morning, there were a couple of key takeaways I wanted to address.
I like listening to Skubala because you always get told something. There’s no avoidance, not when asked about injuries, players coming in, or even player performances, and that makes the interviews a valuable listen. If you have already, you can listen to the full interview here.
If you’re here for a couple of key bits, then read on! I’ve started with Ethan Erhahon, who I thought was excellent yesterday; here’s what Michael had to say about the match winner’s performance.
Ethan Erhahon

“He played in there as a sort of single six today, so that was really difficult for him in terms of physicality,” Michael said post-match.
“What I was really impressed with is how he got about the pitch and he showed his quality at times.
“And yeah, what a great finish. But he’s such a big player for us in there. But what I was really impressed with today, was how he controlled the centre of the pitch for most of the game, which was brilliant.”
I have to agree. Even in a tepid first half, I felt Erhahon was one of our stronger players. He was locked in a tough battle with their midfielders, and he was cynically fouled a couple of times and dished a bit out.
The partisan home comms thought he deserved a couple of yellows, but in the end, there was a begrudging admiration for his performance throughout—my Man of the Match.
Joe Taylor & Freddie Draper

Two up top was a big call from our Head Coach, but did it pay off? They didn’t score, but it certainly sounds like we’re going to stick with a pair of strikers as things stand.
“I think having two up top was good. I think those two working together and finding a connection as two nines is really important,” said Michael of his two new faces.
“I think, at times, it looked a bit disjointed, but they’ve had two days together. I thought Freddie battled away, and I thought Joe had a little bit of a threat, but it’s a step up for them as well. The physicality of this game for those two was more than they used to.
“At times, I thought we just needed to get more connected with them, and they needed to get more connected with each other as well.”
I don’t think there’s a lot to argue there. Both players had a chance or two, which showed they were getting into the right positions. The one that stands out for me was from Lasse’s cross in the second half, a teasing ball that Taylor poked wide. I see that as getting his sights in, and if we keep serving up chances like that, they will score.
They’ll benefit from another week on the training pitch and then another after Derby, and I can see the partnership growing into something that keeps us firmly fixed in midtable.
Transfers

Jack Moylan had a solid debut after coming off the bench, and Joe Taylor showed flashes of ability, but we’re sure to expect more incomings over the next couple of weeks.
Where? What type of player? Well, Michael outlined exactly what he thinks we need when asked if we could expect more business this week.
“I’m still hopeful,” he replied to a question about new faces. “We’re still working hard. I still think we need to add to the group. I still think we need to bring in a bit of experience. I’m really keen on doing that.

“As you know, I like wide attacking players like Reeco because I think when you get those players on the pitches at this level, it’s hard to defend.
“So yeah, hopeful we can do something still, and we’re still working hard behind the scenes.”
There are two players in that for me – firstly, someone with experience; an older hand who can maybe help lead the young group. With an average age of 23.1, this was the youngest Imps line-up this season, surpassing the 23.7 from our 3-0 win against Cambridge and 23.9 from our Boxing Day defeat at the hands of Bolton.
Secondly, it sounds like a pacey wide player, possibly a loan man who can get on the ball and run at players. The profile I like would be Kwadwo Baah, recently at Burton, someone like that. However, there’s also the possibility we could look at combining the two, someone with experience who can also make things happen – like Gareth McCleary, who lined up against us yesterday.
Just for clarity (mainly for Nick Oxberry and Cornell), I’m not saying we’re signing those players, but they’re the type that fit the bill.
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