The Imps have confirmed that head coach Michael Skubala will serve a touchline ban during this evening’s game at Barnsley.
While it was widely reported that David Preece was booked against Stockport, it was actually Skubala who was shown the yellow card on Boxing Day. It is the third time he has been booked this season and, because of that, he must serve a one-game ban.
He will still be present at Oakwell and be able to carry out his role as normal before and after the match, as well as at half-time. However, during the match, he will be required to be in the stand rather than the away dugout.
It’s worth noting that bookings in the dugout are not always cut and dried. If something gets said and picked up by an assistant or a fourth official, it can be difficult to ascertain which of our management team are at fault. It is my understanding that if it isn’t clear which member of the bench has said something, there is a tendency for a referee to show the card to the manager.
It is interesting that Michael has picked up extra bookings this season after the dugout move. While there may not be a link, one wonders if having the bench closer to the assistant referee has drawbacks as well as benefits, with what is being said more audible. As I’m unclear on whether the other bookings have been at home, I can’t confirm, but we shifted benches to decrease the opposition influence in that area of the field, not least after Joe Gardner’s sending off last season, but maybe it will also have drawbacks.
Michael’s absence will of course be felt, but with Tom Shaw and Chris Cohen as assistant head coaches, it will surely be a minor setback rather than a huge detriment to our efforts.
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