Wanderers Head Coach Steven Schumacher is excited for Saturday’s challenge away at Lincoln City in a highly anticipated top of the table Sky Bet League One fixture.
The Whites visit Sincil Bank this weekend for a clash between second and third in the table against the Imps, buoyed by five wins out of their last six games.
Previewing the contest with Michael Skubala’s men, Schumacher is looking forward to seeing his side face fellow promotion contenders, with Wanderers set to be well backed by a sold-out travelling support in Lincolnshire.
Schumacher told Wanderers TV: “The players and staff are all looking forward to it, we know how much it means and what’s at stake. We’re going to a team who have got one of the best home records in the division so we have to be there and give it our all and play as well as we can.
“That’s the challenge that you want at this stage of the season when third are going to second in the league. We’re trying to close that gap, it makes it exciting, so we’re looking forward to it.
“They (Lincoln) have been consistent for a long time, that’s why they are where they are in the league and they’ve proved they are one of the best teams in the league, but we have got ourselves in a good vein of form lately as well, we’ve played well and got some big results so we go there with confidence and try and execute our game plan, cause them a few problems and see where it takes us.
“I know their coaching staff really well and they have this momentum, they have a good group of players who look as if they are all together, they’ve got some quality and experience in the team and they never know when they are beaten, so they deserve to be there, they are there on merit and we won’t take them lightly, we can’t show them too much respect, we have to go there and put it on them and see if we can come away with the three points that we need.
Schumacher wants his squad to relish the opportunity as Wanderers aim to extend a run of four straight victories in the third tier.
He continued: “The players have been great all season, we’ve relished every challenge that we’ve had and I don’t think we’ve gone to any club and shown any fear and I think that’s the message that we have to go and be aware of what they are going to try and do, but implement our style. We know we’ve got good players. They are aware we’ve got good players and if we can play to the level that’s possible, then we’ve got a chance, so let’s get a smile on our face and go and enjoy it.
“There’s still a long way to go, there’s a third of the season left and I know that there’s a lot at stake, and closing the gap is still important, but if the result doesn’t go exactly our way, there’s still time, there will still be twists and turns for everyone at both ends of the division, but we’ll stay focused on the next game, but the next game for us is a really good one so let’s look forward to it.”
Following a positive week of training at Lostock, Schumacher provided an update on player availability for Lincoln away.
Schumacher added: “Josh Sheehan, Max Conway and Johnny Kenny have trained all week with the group and look ready to go, they look sharp and fit and prepared, so they will be available.
“The only long-term injuries we’ve got are Marcus (Forss) and Amario (Cozier-Duberry) who we will miss, but apart from that, it’s another full squad and plenty of selection headaches so I’m looking forward to that.”
Watch Steven’s pre-match interview in full by clicking here!