City return to Championship action following an extended international break, with a trip to South Yorkshire beginning a demanding run of fixtures that also includes West Ham United at Sincil Bank and Millwall away.
Sheffield United have endured a difficult start to the campaign, but Cohen believes their quality remains clear. The Blades are managed by Chris Wilder, whose previous spell in charge saw them win promotion from the Championship in 2018/19. Cohen remembers that period well, having watched Wilder establish his distinctive system, which helped Sheffield United compete against some of the strongest sides in English football.
When asked what he expected from Saturday’s opponents, Cohen said:
“Top team, top manager, good players everywhere. Probably not the start to the season they would have wanted.
“I remember watching Chris’s team just as I was retiring. It was his 3-5-2 team that blew the Championship apart and went and finished, I think, sixth or seventh in the Premier League.
“These are the challenges that we want. We don’t underestimate them at all, but like we’ve said all along, we have to try and implement our game model. We have to try and stress them as much as we possibly can in the way that we play, and hopefully we can come out with a positive result.”
City head into the fixture having already demonstrated their ability to pick up results away from Sincil Bank. Victories at Bolton, Preston North End and Bristol City have been important in the opening stages of the campaign, with Chris and Tom Shaw looking to build on those performances as the Championship schedule resumes.
One player who could offer some additional insight into Saturday’s opponents is Chiedozie Ogbene. The Republic of Ireland international joined Lincoln on loan from Ipswich Town towards the end of the summer transfer window, having previously spent time at Bramall Lane.
Ogbene has been building his match fitness since arriving at City, featuring in the Championship and making his first league start for the Imps against Bristol City. He has also been involved with the Republic of Ireland during the international break, adding to his minutes ahead of the return to domestic action.
Cohen confirmed that the winger’s knowledge of Sheffield United would be useful in preparations, although he stressed that City would not be changing their approach simply because of the opposition.
“The good thing about Chio is that he will come and speak to us about it. He’s got a lovely way about him, and we definitely lean on him.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to go there as a player and a coach over the last number of years, so I know that when it gets going, it can be a really difficult place to go and get a result.
“But like I’ve just said, we know that us at our best is really hard to stop. We’re just aiming for those levels, seeing how often in the game, in phases of the game, we can get to those levels.
“We know we’re able to compete and hopefully thrive in that type of football stadium.
“We’ll use Chio most definitely, but we don’t want to go away from what we are.”
The fixture will be City’s first competitive outing since the defeat to Swansea City before the international break. Cohen and Shaw have used the time to work with players who arrived late in the transfer window, revisit elements of their tactical approach and arrange a friendly to ensure the squad maintained its fitness.
Saturday’s meeting at Bramall Lane will provide the first opportunity to put that work into practice, with Cohen determined that the Imps approach the contest on their own terms.
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