Lincoln City: Michael Skubala on “Really Important” Pre-Season

Lincoln City head coach Michael Skubala has given his thoughts ahead of a first pre-season with the club.

The former Leeds United under-21s boss and first team caretaker believes time on the training pitch ahead of the new season will be important.

Speaking to reporter Jamie Johnson, he said: “It’s really important for me, pre-season. If you can get time with the players, I probably learned that in League One last year when it was Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday, to embed things you want to do, but also to get new players up to speed and integrated. It’s a really key moment, and I’m looking forward to getting on the grass.”

Skubala spoke in a media day at the LNER Stadium, coinciding with Lincoln City 140th Anniversary, the EFL’s fixture release and the opening of a new Community hub for the club’s Foundation charity.

Lincoln City’s Pre-Season Campaign:

The Imps will have four pre-season games in front of fans, with others to take place behind closed doors.

Training starts on Friday, June 28, before a pre-season trip to Spain. They will face SkyBet Championship side Preston North End on Friday, July 12, at the Pinatar Arena in south-east Spain’s San Pedro del Pinatar.

Lincoln City will then face Oldham Athletic (July 20) and Harrogate Town (July 27), who they have been drawn against in the Carabao Cup first round, in back-to-back away games.

Their pre-season schedule ends with a home clash with Premier League Arsenal’s under-21s side. That will take place on August 3, just seven days before the SkyBet League One curtain-raiser at Burton Albion.

New Signings Integrating:

So far, Lincoln City have added three new signings.

One will need no integration, as Conor McGrandles returned on a permanent deal after spending the back-half of last term on loan. Goalkeeper Jamie Pardington also joined, after his release by Cheltenham Town, before Shrewsbury’s Tom Bayliss penned a two-year deal with the club.

It was the third time McGrandles had signed for the Imps, after last season’s injury-hit loan spell, and an original stint starting in 2020.

Interesting Season for Skubala – Opinion:

A complete pre-season schedule allows Michael Skubala to get his ideas across to his Lincoln City squad ahead of a first full season in charge.

He took City within one win of the play-off places last season, with final day defeat against Portsmouth putting pay to their promotion hopes. However, with a full campaign ahead of him next term, Skubala will be hoping his side can go one better.