Michael Skubala said there was a ‘lot of work to do’ after the Imps were beaten 3-0 at Rotherham yesterday.
Two first half goals ended the game as a contest, and a third made sure after the break. While the scoreline flattered Rotherham, the Imps never really got going with an accumulation of half-chances the sum reward for an afternoon’s work.
Speaking on Imps+ after the game, Michael said things weren’t going right at the minute, with a need for change.
“We know there are things we need to put right because a few things are going wrong at the minute,” he said. “I thought we were really slow out of the blocks today, which is unlike us. We didn’t get up to things quickly enough, we didn’t win enough duels, and we didn’t move the ball quickly.”
The Millers had played 90 minutes in midweek, as well as 120 minutes the week before, but looked more energetic for long spells.
“We just looked slow, like the team that had played on Tuesday, not the one that had a free week,” he added. “That’s not us at all, and we have to correct it. The goals were soft, especially the first one away from home.
“You can’t concede goals like that, so there’s a lot of work to do.”
The game was also punctuated by some decisions that, in hindsight, looked to be called the wrong way. A disallowed early goal (which may not have gone in had the defenders not stopped) set the tone, before two big decisions in their goals.
While not using it as an excuse, Michael did pay lip service to those in his post-match assessment.
“I’m not sure about Justin’s. It looked onside to me. If we go 1-0 up, it’s a different game. But the first goal is too soft, we’ve been beaten from distance, and we’re not getting pressure on the ball quickly enough.
“The second one looked massively offside to me, someone interfering with play.
“The third, it looked like two defenders collided with the keeper and somehow we ended up with a free kick against us. I’m frustrated with the referee because I think he played a part, but we still have to be better than that.”
The Imps have a chance to get back on the horse in midweek against Barnsley in the dead rubber EFL Trophy game. Both sides have already qualified for the next stages of the competition, and if the Imps avoid defeat, they’ll go through as group winners.
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