Head coach Tom Shaw says the Imps will continue to embrace their ambitious front-footed approach as they continue to find their feet in the Sky Bet Championship.
The Imps head into Tuesday's fixture at Bristol City on the back of Saturday’s 1-0 victory at Preston North End, where Freddie Draper’s goal secured another positive result on the road.
Shaw believes his side have shown the ambition and courage required to compete at Championship level. He said: “We promised everybody when we came into the building, and everyone has promised each other, that we’re going to go after every opponent wherever it is around the country.
“That could mean a slightly different game plan each week, but nobody is taking a step back. I hope people are seeing how front-footed we’re trying to set the team up.
“I hope the supporters are enjoying the players’ ambition and courage in these games because I think they’ve been amazing at times.
“We’ll take some hits along the way, I’m sure, just because of the level of opponent. But with the way we’ve gone about it, I feel like we’ve been in pretty much every game and had a chance of winning it. The league table will take care of itself. We’ve just got to focus on performance.”
Shaw was particularly pleased with the way his side adapted to a different challenge at Preston, with City defending their penalty area impressively while carrying a threat of their own.
He said: “We gave the lads a slightly different game plan to what has been the norm so far. We challenged them a little bit and tested their composure, definitely in possession. I thought they executed it very well.
“Then there were all the bits you need to do to win in the Championship. We defended our penalty area brilliantly and weathered 16 corners. We defended those superbly well. All the ingredients were there in what was a very good day away from home.”
Tuesday’s fixture also brings a reunion with former Imps head coach Michael Skubala, who worked closely with Shaw during City’s successful 2025/26 campaign.
Shaw is grateful for the opportunities Skubala gave him. He added: “It’ll be great to see him. He’s a cracking fella with a lovely family, and we’re very grateful for the roles and responsibilities he gave us last year.
“Him giving us those opportunities and the amazing roles we had as assistants has probably ended up with us getting our first job in the Championship, so we’ll be forever grateful for that."