Lincoln City return to Championship action against Preston North End this weekend, with both sides hoping their performances will begin to produce greater rewards.
The Imps have experienced a promising start to life back in the second tier, and there have been encouraging signs within several of our displays. Preston have struggled to turn competitive performances into points, leaving them bottom of the embryonic table.
Imps head coach Chris Cohen believes the league table does not yet provide an accurate reflection of Preston’s performances. He has watched their recent games closely and feels the Lilywhites have been unfortunate not to collect more points.
“When you look at a lot of the data and watch their games, they have been really unfortunate not to be in a better position in the table,” he told Imps+.
“I think I am on my third game of watching them at the moment. You can probably see some similarities between ourselves and them. It feels as though both teams’ performances might have deserved more points.
“We know how unrelenting the league is. If you don’t get the big moments right, which we have suffered from this season and it looks like Preston have as well, sometimes performing well still isn’t enough to take the points you might deserve.”
Preston demonstrated the threat they possess by beating local rivals Blackburn Rovers in their most recent home fixture. That result should ensure nobody within the City camp travels to Deepdale believing the hosts’ early league position makes this a straightforward assignment.
Striker Rob Street echoed Cohen’s assessment of the opposition and insisted it remains far too early to draw conclusions from the table. The former Cheltenham man is expecting another demanding Championship fixture, but also sees it as an opportunity for the Imps to add to their points total.
“I don’t think you can look into the table too much at this stage. We are only a few games into the season,” he said on the Imps site.
“They are a top club with good players and real quality all over the pitch, so it is going to be another tough game.
“It is one we are looking forward to, and it is another opportunity to hopefully get some more points on the board.”
Both camps may feel their performances have warranted more during the opening weeks of the season, but Saturday provides another chance to turn promising displays into something tangible.
City know they will face a Preston side determined to improve their position, although the Imps will travel believing they are capable of collecting points at Deepdale.
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