City defender Tom Hamer believes consistency has been key to the Imps’ strong defensive numbers so far this term.
Hamer has started 22 consecutive league games for Michael Skubala’s side and another on Saturday would see him make his 50th in all competitions for the Imps.
City’s total of 12 clean sheets is the joint highest number in Sky Bet League One this season – alongside Bradford City and Cardiff City – and Hamer believes the defensive success that they have enjoyed so far has been down to hard work both on and off the pitch.
He said: “We work hard together as a defensive unit, whether that’s on the pitch or off it and I think the rewards are there for everybody to see with the number of clean sheets we’ve had so far this season.
“I think for myself I’m now in my ‘prime’ years in terms of playing, so to have so many experienced heads around me is invaluable because I’m learning from them all every day, both in training and on the pitch.
“It feels like we’re all on the same wavelength and that comes from playing so many games together. Once you’ve played together for a long time, you understand each other’s strengths.”
The Imps host a Blackpool side on Saturday who have taken two wins and a draw from their past four league matches. Ian Evatt’s side were denied all three points by a late Mason Burstow equaliser for Bolton Wanderers last Saturday and were recently denied a win late on at fellow promotion-chasing side Huddersfield Town, too.
The Seasiders sit 19th in the table heading into the contest, but Hamer has is well aware it will be another tough fixture.
He added: “We’re on a good run at the moment but we have to keep taking it one game at a time and not look too far ahead.
“Every game in League One is tough. You don’t look at anyone and think it will be easy, that is why we’ve been concentrating on each game as it comes and looking to play to our strengths.
“The most important thing is to prepare right on the training pitch in the build-up to the game and hopefully get your rewards on the pitch.”
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