Our Head Coach previewed our clash with Lincoln City at Oakwell this Saturday.
INJURY UPDATE
"No new injuries at the moment. Everyone came through the other night so all positive for the weekend. Josh Benson is playing for the U21s at 3pm. He is eager to get back and involved but he's not played any football since November. So a great opportunity to get him some minutes which means that if an opportunity does come, he is a little more prepared. Robbie Cundy features as well, he'll play 45 minutes. For him, it's the first time I'll have seen him play with my own eyes. He's looked really good in training so that's good."
ON AWARDS RECOGNITION FOR ADAM PHILLIPS
"People are saying he's hit form like it was just like month. I think the turning point particulary though was when he got his first goal here against Charlton. Since then, he's not looked back. His performances have just got better and better. His fitness is exceptional, he covers a huge amount of ground. Setting the press, running in behind. When you're fitter, confidence is up, you're scoring goals, you're setting up goals. I think then when you know the manager has belief in you, the team have got belief in you, it gives you an extra bit of confidence. I think all these things culminated, as it has with a number of other players, but it's just nice to see Adam get the recognition. Generally these individual awards come when the team is doing well."
ON LINCOLN CITY
"Between ourselves, Portsmouth, they're the form team in the league. Looking at the league table, we need to recognise over the last ten games, we're playing against one of the best teams in the league. They haven't conceded a goal in the last four games. Every one of their games seems to be really tight, not a lot given either way. They're really hard-working. I think Michael has just made them better and better. They've got a good mix of being able to put you under pressure but also play some good football. Just what you'd expect from a top team. So I think what we'll have on Saturday is a really top opponent. People should just be mindful that the league table skews where Lincoln are right at this moment of time. They're as good as anyone, they've proven that. They've shut down a lot of the top teams. Drew against Derby, drew against Peterborough. Another great test, but one that our players have generally risen to the occasion for."
IMPORTANCE OF PATIENCE AGAINST IMPS
"I think we all need to consider that we might need patience at home. I'd like to think we'll show that, in terms of our players need to show the most patience and respect in terms of the fact you have to grind it out. But, we've done that relatively well at home recently. Against Leyton Orient, we could have easily become frustrated, we didn't and we kept going. It might be the same, but we'll certainly try to go right from the start to make it as awkward as possible for Lincoln. But I'm sure having had a week to prepare they'll be wanting to do the same."
