Rob Street is enjoying the challenge of testing himself in the Sky Bet Championship as the Imps return to league action on Saturday.
The forward is experiencing second-tier football for the first time and believes City have shown they are capable of competing at the level, despite feeling their performances could have yielded more points during the opening weeks of the campaign.
Street said: “I’ve enjoyed it. It’s been a good test and we’re probably unlucky not to have picked up a few more points here and there.
“It’s been a refreshing challenge. It’s the first time I’ve ever played at this level and I’ve been really enjoying it.
“We’ve been unlucky in a few games and I think we definitely deserve a few more points. We probably just need to tidy up a few things and hopefully a few more points on the board will come.”
Street has quickly noticed the increase in quality throughout the division, with small margins proving particularly significant.
He added: “There’s definitely a jump in quality. There are quality players all over the pitch in every squad you come up against.
“You look at some of the goals we’ve conceded and they’ve been brilliant goals. There’s a lot more quality, so we need to try and do better at preventing those moments, but sometimes you’ve also got to hold your hands up and say, ‘What more can you do?’”
City’s younger players can also draw on the experience within the squad, with Street welcoming the influence of Chieo Ogbene following his arrival at the ProAmpac Stadium.
He said: “He’s played at the top level, he’s a really good player and he’s a really good person to have in the building.”
Street also highlighted the continued importance of Tendayi Darikwa despite the captain being sidelined through injury.
He said: “It’s absolutely gutting for everyone involved to lose Tendayi. He’s been an amazing captain on and off the pitch for two years and he’ll continue to be that.
“It’s just that we won’t see him on the pitch for the rest of the season, which is obviously very frustrating for Tendayi and the players around him.”
The Imps now turn their attention to Preston on Saturday, with Street paying little attention to the early league table as City look to add to their points tally at Deepdale.
He added: “I don’t think you can look into the table too much at this stage. We’re only a few games in at the end of the day.
“They’re a top club, they’ve got good players all over the pitch and real quality, so it’s going to be another tough game.
“It’s one we’re looking forward to. It’s another chance to hopefully get some more points on the board.”
