Lincoln City joint head coaches Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw have struck a realistic tone ahead of their side's Championship clash with Southampton at a sold-out Sincil Bank. The newly-promoted Imps, back in the second tier after a 65-year absence, host the Saints tomorrow lunchtime with Cohen acknowledging the scale of the challenge.
Cohen, who was part of Nathan Jones's coaching staff at St Mary's between November 2022 and February 2023, knows the opponent well. "A club I spent a little bit of time at. A monster footie club," he told BBC Radio Lincolnshire, as reported by the Daily Echo. The Imps go into the match sitting 17th in the Championship with four points from their opening four games, having recorded one win, one draw, and two losses.
What is Lincoln City's recent form?
Lincoln City's season has been a mix of promise and reality checks. Their four-point haul includes a solid 1-0 away victory at Bolton Wanderers and a goalless home draw with Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday. However, their recent form reads DWLL, and they have scored just three goals while conceding five, leaving them with a -2 goal difference. They currently find themselves six points behind early leaders Swansea City in the title race. Fans can track the team's progress in the standings throughout the season.
How are the new coaches settling in?
The coaching duo of Cohen and Shaw took charge in the summer following Michael Skubala's departure to Bristol City. Their task is to establish Lincoln City in the Championship, a level the club has not competed at since the 1960-61 season. Shaw's partnership with Cohen is seen as a collaborative effort to steer the club through this historic campaign. The full squad list is available for supporters to see who will be tasked with implementing their plans.
What can fans expect at Sincil Bank?
The home support is expected to play a significant role. "Another sold out Sincil Bank. I'm sure they'll create an atmosphere that gives us an opportunity to put a performance in that fans will be proud of," Cohen said. A capacity crowd will witness a fixture that pits the league newcomers against a side with recent Premier League pedigree. The Imps will need that vocal backing as they look to improve on their home record.
What comes after the Southampton game?
Attention will quickly turn to the next challenge regardless of Saturday's result. Lincoln City's schedule continues with an away trip to face Preston North End on September 12th. That match is part of a demanding fixtures list that will test the squad's depth and resilience throughout the autumn. Securing points on the road will be just as important as their home form if they are to build a platform for survival.
The immediate focus, however, remains fully on preparing for the visit of Southampton. Cohen referenced the heavy defeat his former colleague Alex Neil suffered against the Saints last season, when his Millwall side were beaten 5-1, as a reminder of their quality. Lincoln City's coaching staff are under no illusions about the task but are determined to make Sincil Bank a difficult place for any opponent to visit.
