Head Coach Steven Schumacher believes Wanderers must be at their “very best” against Lincoln City at the Toughsheet Community Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Wanderers are back in action to take on the Imps, promoted alongside the Whites from Sky Bet League One last season as champions, with Schumacher’s Whites will be aiming to continue their unbeaten start, which saw a 2-1 victory to defeat Preston North End and a hard-fought point away at Queens Park Rangers last weekend.
Attention now turns to the meeting with Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw’s Lincoln outfit, and Schumacher expects a tough challenge against the Sincil Bank outfit.
Schumacher told Wanderers TV: “We come into another game this weekend. Every time we're going to play against an opponent this year, you have to be at your very best if you take three points and you have to do your best if you're going to take a point out of any game in this league.
“It's important to try and get points on the board early and try to settle in and the players to find their feet really and that builds confidence if you can get results. So, we've had two really tough games, we've had to work incredibly hard in both of them to get anything from them and it'll be no different on Saturday.
“They (Lincoln) were the best team in the league last year and in my opinion deservedly won it and people found it really hard to beat them. We didn't manage to do that, we had two really close games and the points were shared and we expect this Saturday's game to be no different.
“I know they haven't picked up any points yet, but they've had two really difficult games as well. They pushed Middlesbrough all of the way and took Middlesbrough until the last minute, the last kick of the game to win it. They had spells last week against Portsmouth where they were the stronger team. Portsmouth came out on top in the moments, so I know it's going to be a really difficult game.
“I know the two lads who are in charge really well. I know they'll be really well prepared for this game and come here with a game plan."
“If we're not ready for that game plan, if we don't stand up to Lincoln about what their strengths are, then we'll come unstuck because as I say, they are the top team.”
Wanderers were cheered on by a capacity crowd in the opening day victory over Preston North End, and Schumacher believes that the Whites home support will play an important part when Lincoln visit BL6.
He added: “It's important that we try and raise our level again like we did against Preston. You know, it was a really good day, a good occasion. It was a sellout crowd and hopefully we can get good numbers in here on Saturday and because as you said that that support and that backing and the noise and the atmosphere, it definitely does give the players energy. So, if we can use that to our benefit, then that'll be perfect."
Watch Steven’s interview in full on Wanderers TV by clicking here!
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