City are in midweek league action for the first time this season as they travel to Blackpool on Tuesday 1 October (7.45pm KO).
Read the thoughts of both Michael Skubala and striker Freddie Draper alongside important match information in this preview.
Skubala’s thoughts
“The Cambridge result was a very good and professional away performance from the lads, we controlled most of the game, had some really promising performances and we dominated with and without the ball. It probably could’ve been a bigger score-line but we went there to get the three points and that’s what we did.”
“The decision on which strikers we play is decided on what combination will work best tactically with what we are coming up against. It’s really good to have five strikers in the building that can all offer something slightly different. The fact that we’ve got that blend up top is really exciting.”
“Blackpool have been free-flowing with their goals recently, the last four games they’ve won under the new management. He’s definitely got them set up to score, but he’s also got them really rigid and really strong defensively. Steve Bruce has a lot of experience and he knows where to put players and how to do it. We’re going to have to be really on it, be great defensively and be clinical in front of goal. Ultimately, we know it’s going to be a tough trip because they’re flying at the moment, but it’s one where if we’re on it we can get something out of it.”
Draper’s take
“It feels good to be off the mark and to score a goal means everything to me, especially being a striker. It was great to get out there, get some minutes and get my first goal.”
“I find myself complementing most strikers to be fair because I’m different to most modern-day strikers. I’ve played with all the other forwards here since the start of the season and I know what they like, don’t like and their best attributes. So it’s about knowing what I can do to help them.”
“It’ll be tough, Blackpool are a good team, they’ve always been a good side, they’ve got some good players but so have we. We know on our day we can beat anyone so we’ve just got to make sure we prepare well, go into that game with a lot of belief and hopefully get the three points.”
A look at the opposition
It’s been quite the turnaround for Blackpool after a disappointing start to the season had them languishing in the bottom four, but four wins on the bounce has seen the Seasiders catapult themselves into the top six.
The arrival of Steve Bruce has certainly had an impact with the experienced manager shoring his new side up in defence leading to back-to-back clean sheets against Huddersfield Town and Burton Albion.
The Imps’ last victory at Bloomfield Road came in 2020 when two goals in the last five minutes saw Appleton’s men pull off a remarkable comeback.
23-year-old Kyle Joseph has netted three times so far this campaign for the Tangerines and has proven himself a real threat on the forward line in recent times.
Match information
For the second time in four days City will sport their white away kit, which can be purchased HERE.
Lewis Smith will be the match referee on Tuesday night, with Lewis Raper and Matthew Parry named as his assistants. James Westgate is the fourth official.
Back City at Blackpool by purchasing your ticket HERE.
