Michael Skubala is eagerly awaiting what City’s newest recruit, Ryan Oné, can bring to his side ahead of the trip to Wigan Athletic this weekend.
The Scottish U21 forward completed his move from Sheffield United on Wednesday evening, adding a different element to the Imps’ attack. With Premier League experience at the Blades, One has added six Championship appearances in S2 this season.
Speaking for the first time on his latest signing, Michael is looking forward to seeing what the former Hamilton Academical man can do at City.
“He’s a brilliant young prospect. They think very highly of him at Sheffield United and they haven’t let him come here lightly. He had lots of opportunities to go to many clubs in League One.
“He’s probably a little bit rusty in terms of game minutes because he hasn’t played loads of first-team football this season, but we’ve seen him in training today and he looks like he could be a real handful.”
With Ben House returning from injury on Tuesday evening with a goal, the Imps gaffer may have a selection headache in the coming weeks. There are likely to be several forwards vying for the four attacking spaces in City’s 4-3-2-1 formation.
There are unlikely to be any changes tomorrow in that department, with the former Eastleigh man still getting up to speed. The same applies to One, but Skubala gave an insight into how he expects the 19-year-old to slot into his attack.
“I see him as supporting that top line. He can play as a number nine, which is where we see him and probably where Sheffield United see him, but he also has the ability to play off the sides, which is how we play.
“Street is probably more of a nine, but we play him off the sides a little bit. We’re very blessed now to have some really good young attackers in competition for places and hopefully we can get the best out of them.”
Changes across the pitch are also doubtful, with City sticking with the same side for the past three League One encounters, collecting seven points from nine on offer. Wigan have had no such luck in recent times, with the Latics currently on a five-match winless run in the third tier.
Ryan Lowe has been under pressure in recent times, but reports stating he would be sacked before facing the Imps haven’t materialised. Nevertheless, games against Wigan have proved difficult for Lincoln in recent times, with a six-game run without victory against the Latics since beating them three times in a row earlier this decade.
“It’s a really tough game. It’s a big stadium, huge pitch and very different to our environment. There’s no easy game against Wigan. I think they’re in a false position if I’m honest and that makes them dangerous,” Michael said.
“We’re going to have to reach the heights of our performance levels to get points out of the game. First and foremost is being at our best, then hopefully getting the three points and coming back with them.”
As Michael alluded to, if the Imps can perform anywhere near the levels on Tuesday evening against Bradford City, then the Imps should return from the north west with three points tomorrow.