Michael Skubala was rightfully delighted to pick up three points against Doncaster Rovers yesterday.
A first-half strike from Frankie Okoronkwo put the Imps ahead, before Brandon Hanlan levelled with 20 minutes to go. City struck back immediately, going 2-1 up within a minute through an own goal from former Imp, Robbie Gotts.
It was an entertaining game, full of incident against a decent Rovers side, and Michael was happy to see out the result after some late pressure.
“I thought the first half we were electric,” said Michael in his post-match interview. “We could have been two or three up. We were everything that we want to be. And then second half, I thought we made hard work of it a little bit but in the end the character of the lads to dig out the winner was the most important thing”
Frankie Okoronkwo put in a show-stopping performance, grabbing one when he could perhaps have had three. He nodded wide at 0-0, and fired wide at 1-0 when a second goal would have killed the game.
Despite those misses, he certainly impressed, and Michael agreed that his performance was one of significant note. He replaced Erik Ring, who has two goal involvements in three matches, and Michael explained exactly why.
“He could have had a few. But I thought his performance was top draw. Top top draw. I thought he did well at Barnsley in the week as well. I thought the way he plays that role, we knew he’d have to help a little bit with Luke Molyneux as well, who was their top player. So he helped out Adam Reach on the left side.
“We wanted to get the balance of that left side of the pitch to help. It helps because he’s a little bit inverted. But I thought his performance was very good and he could have had a couple in the first half, but his goal was a fantastic take and a fantastic move from the lads down the right side to set up the box cross from Tendayi. But we played some great stuff in the first half.”
The result moved us to joint top of the table, or second, if you want to term it correctly. Of course, being level on points with the leaders is a big boost for supporters, but aside from a red wine, Michael will be all business as you read this.
“Fans can enjoy being top or joint top or whatever it is. But for me, it’s about keeping calm, looking after our processes. The players were sensational today, the way they dug it out. We’ve got great staff here. We just want to keep picking up three points.
“We know how hard it is in this league for teams beating each other and dropping points. We just want to keep picking up points at the moment. And I always say it is the fans’ job to enjoy, and they can have a curry and a red wine and a few beers tonight and enjoy the three points.
“My job is to maybe have a red wine tonight to be fair, but maybe review the game tomorrow, and we keep improving and we have to keep improving in what we do. Then my job is to try and find a win on the road. I think we’ve been sensational at home. Like I say, a fortress, but let’s try and find some more points on the road.”
City are next in action in six day’s time against Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park, with the rest of the top six hoping to steal back some of the points we now have on the board.