Lincoln City have started the season well and currently sit in eighth position. The lack of discipline has worried manager Michael Skubala though and he has challenged his players to “be smarter” as the Imps tally up the yellow and red cards.
Despite playing just 7 games, Lincoln City have received three red cards and a whopping 23 yellow cards. Some of those do appear to be for avoidable things such as pulling and dissent and this is where ‘Skoobs’ wants the team to clean up.
Furthermore, The Imps sit third in fouls committed behind only Stevenage and Bradford City. They will also have to cope without defender Ryley Towler, who has amassed five bookings and striker Rob Street, following his Red card against Wigan Athletic on Saturday as they travel to Burton Albion.
Lincoln City have lost just once in their opening seven games, the 2-0 defeat to AFC Wimbledon in which Adam Jackson was dismissed. Burton have played just five but have won just one, drawing one and losing the other three.
The blow is cushioned somewhat by the return of Sonny Bradley, who received a straight red card for denying a goal scoring opportunity in the 1-1 draw with Mansfield Town. With several arrivals across the summer, Oscar Thorn and Adam Reach to name but two, who should fit in for the two suspended men.
In a fairly turbulent summer of change, the LNER Stadium outfit have signed Towler, Reach, Thorn, Bradley, Dexter Lumbikisa, Justin Obikwu, Ivan Varfolomeev, Fin Barbrook and Frankie Okoronkwo.
How Did The Imps Fare Against Wigan Athletic?
Wigan opened the scoring on Saturday with Sam Tickle in the Wigan goal sending a ball the length of the field for Paul Mullin to round George Wickens in the Imps goal and finish his chance. The home side then equalised following Christian Saydee pulling Ryley Towler to the ground, resulting in James Collins hammering home the spot kick.
Collins then got his second goal from a corner where Towler nodded it on for a real poachers goal as Collins beat the defenders to the ball. Christian Saydee crossed for the visitors on 50 minutes when Callum Wright finished from a few yards out.
Then the game exploded even more, Christian Saydee was sent off as he went to challenge Tom Bayliss but mistimed it going over the ball and catching the players leg. Rob Street then received a red card of his own following a high boot.
Both teams pushed for a winner but the draw was played out.
Lincoln City Boss Gives His Thoughts
Lincoln City Manager Skubala heaped praise on his star forward James Collins whilst speaking to the club’s official website:
Skubala said: “Collo got his goals, which is magnificent and he was a real handful again. His penalty was great and he was on the move for the second one too.
“When you get James Collins in the box, you know he’s going to score, the challenge for us is to get him more opportunities.
“It’s a great achievement for James, you just have to look Saturday to realise why he has managed to score so many goals, particularly his second goal where he’s on the move when everyone else is stood still.”
The manager was also content with the point although did think his side were the better team.
He stated to the club’s media that “Wigan were a good, physical team and were the better side in the opening exchanges.
“If I’m honest, I think we were fortunate to go in ahead at the break but then we let them back into it again in the second half.
“When it went to 10 men, we became the better team and had some really good chances to win it.
“When the dust settles on Monday, I think we’ll reflect on a good point against a really good side.”
You can also see his thoughts below as he gave an official interview to BBC Sport Lincolnshire.
