The Imps host Bolton Wanderers this weekend in what many in Lancashire are billing as a must-win game for the Trotters.
Here in Lincolnshire, the feeling is a little different. Win, and we open a nine-point gap between ourselves and Bolton. Draw, and we can still have a nine-point gap with our game in hand. Lose, and we will still be second. It’s not a must-win, it’s not even a must-not-lose, but it is a huge game for the Imps.
Earlier today, I suggested it was just another brick in the wall, one of 46 bricks that, hopefully, will make up our promotion campaign, and Michael Skubala is thinking much along the same lines. Speaking to Michael Hortin in his pre-match press conference, he said, not for the first time, it was just another chance to get three points.
“I think it feels huge because it is second versus third,” said Michael. “Bolton are a good team, well coached, always striving to get out of this division with the resources they have.
“There is a bit of rivalry there as well. But it is another three points. There is no difference between these three points and Northampton on Tuesday. We have to attack every game the same way.”
Many are saying a win, or a draw, will go some way to cementing us as automatic promotion favourites, if we’re not already, but Michael doesn’t believe the outcome this weekend will dictate where we finish, however it ends up.
“There are still around 48 points to play for. This game will not dictate where we finish, but it is a big game because of everything around it. These are the games you want to be involved in as players, staff, and fans.
“We have a bit of a cushion, but if it goes our way, brilliant. We just have to keep churning points out.”
The view from LN5 is very much one of ‘just another game’, but over in the north west, there is a feeling this is the big one for them. They’re in superb form, matched only by us, and they know anything less than a win gives them a lot to make up over the course of the next 14 games, for them.
That shifts pressure onto them, and Michael admitted that it is a difficult time of the season, but one to relish.
“It is difficult. At this stage of the season, everybody needs points. There is no easy game. Teams at the bottom have pressure to survive, teams chasing the play-offs have pressure too.
“Ultimately, you want something to play for at the end of the season. It is a different type of pressure. I would say it is more excitement than pressure for us. If we play well, we believe we can get the job done.”
For the fourth time this season, the crowd will top 10,000, hopefully getting close to the 10,240 we had for the last game between the two sides at the Bank. On that occasion, City won 4-2, and a repeat of that result would certainly be welcomed among supporters, even if it were just another three points.
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