Lots to be encouraged by for Skubala
City head coach Michael Skuabala felt there was plenty to pleased with from his side’s home draw against promotion-chasing Derby County.
He felt the Imps ‘more than matched’ the Rams and would have been worthy winners had they converted some of the opportunities they created.
Skubala said: “I’m really pleased. To a man, they worked really hard. We talked about replicating what we did at Wycombe last week, playing with intensity, being brave and with no fear. At times we looked very sharp. I thought we created some big chances and deserved a win.”
He continued with praise for the young strike force of Freddie Draper and Joe Taylor, adding: “In transition we looked a real threat. There was a 19-year-old and 21-year-old up front and I think everyone saw how exciting their partnership could be.
“I thought Freddie and Joe were really good up there. I don’t think I’ve seen (Derby defender Eiran) Cashin dominated that much, but Freddie aerially dominated him and Joe dominated him with pace. They also worked really hard without the ball and you can’t underestimate how much that helps a team.”
The game saw Reeco Hackett make his first start since November, following his recovery from a hamstring injury and return as a substitute against Wycombe last weekend.
The head coach said: “We knew he wouldn’t last and didn’t want to risk him too much, but we got him through 60 minutes, which was great.”
Skubala concluded with praise for the fans and the club’s ground staff, after hard work over the last few days to get the game on despite poor weather.
He said: “The crowd were amazing again. We didn’t quite get the goal we wanted for them and that would have been even more amazing, but they were brilliant, as were the ground staff in terms of getting the game on. To a club, to a city, we can be proud but we still need to push to get three points.”
