We're Not Naive - Lincoln City Head Coach on Middlesbrough Task
Lincoln City head coach Tom Shaw has emphasized the team's confidence and belief in their abilities ahead of the upcoming match against Middlesbrough. Shaw acknowledged that Middlesbrough will provide a significant examination, but he believes there are elements of their game that the Imps can exploit.
"We're not naive to this," Shaw said. "These are an excellent football side. As I touched on, there's a couple of parts of the game that they are outstanding at and can really hurt you."
Shaw recognized that Middlesbrough's strength lies in their ability to hurt teams in specific areas of the game. However, he believes that Lincoln City can affect these areas and have a massive impact against Middlesbrough.
"It's going to be a very tough fixture, a very tough opening game for the Championship campaign," Shaw said. "But we're definitely very confident from the Derby experience as a building block. We think we can hurt them in a few parts and things that really suit how we play."
Shaw understands why people might view Lincoln City as underdogs, but he insists that the team will not play like it. "We will be perceived as the underdog," Shaw said. "I sort of understand that. But we won't play like it. We'll play with belief and no fear."
What Comes Next?
Lincoln City will face Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday, marking a significant moment in the team's journey. Shaw has seen much of the transformation first-hand and believes that the team is on an amazing upward trajectory.
"We're on an amazing upward trajectory as a football club, which I've been blessed to have been involved in a lot of that in the last however many years, eight, nine, ten years," Shaw said.
Why It Matters for Lincoln City
The match against Middlesbrough is a crucial test for Lincoln City, and Shaw believes that the team can make a significant impact. He emphasized the importance of the team's confidence and belief in their abilities, stating that they will not play like underdogs.
"We'll play with belief and no fear," Shaw said. "Respect for them and their team and what they're capable of, but no fear at three o'clock."
The Message from the Head Coach
Shaw's message to the team is clear: they will approach the match with confidence and belief in their abilities. He emphasized the importance of respecting Middlesbrough's team and their capabilities but not being intimidated by them.
"It's a game of football that we've got to try and win and everybody should be really excited about that," Shaw said.
The Occasion Ends When the Whistle Blows
The occasion of the match against Middlesbrough will be significant for Lincoln City, but Shaw's message is clear: the team will not let the occasion dictate their approach. They will play with confidence and belief in their abilities, and they will respect Middlesbrough's team and their capabilities.
