Ukrainian midfielder Ivan Varfolomeev is sure to feature more over the coming weeks after an impressive outing against Barnsley.
Our club record signing has been slowly introduced to League One football, with Monday’s fixture only his second EFL start, but he grabbed an early assist and put in a strong performance throughout.
With Tom Bayliss and injury doubt in the short term, it’s time for the 21-year-old to step up, and head coach Michael Skubala is in no doubt he’ll do just that.
“He’s got talent,” Michael said after the Imps win at Oakwell. “He’s great with the ball, that’s why he’s now on the set pieces.
“I think he grew into the game. He was probably a little bit nervous, which is natural. It’s different coming into a game at halftime when you’re just thrown into it, compared to building up knowing you’re going to get a start.”
That nervy start was put to sleep after just six minutes, when his pinpoint delivery found the head of Tom Hamer to give us a 1-0 lead that, in truth, we never looked like losing. After that, it was a competent and comfortable outing for Varfolomeev, and we can expect to see more over the next few days.
“He started a bit nervy, but as the game settled, he settled. We saw his quality, his energy and what he brings. He’s still learning about League One, and he’s going to have to go again and be ready for more, Saturday and Tuesday, even this Christmas period. His delivery was sensational.”
The utterly relentless schedule sees us play Huddersfield Town tomorrow, before yet another quick turnaround for our third game in six days as we face Peterborough United at the Bank early on Sunday afternoon.