The Imps travel to Grimsby Town on Tuesday 8 October for their second tie of Group G in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy (7.30pm KO).
Read what Michael Skubala and Erik Ring said ahead of the match as well as important information about the fixture in this preview.
Skubala’s thoughts:
“It’s important that we get a result because we want to stay in the competition, it’s important that we win the game, and it’s also important that we get the balance right in making sure that we don’t get injuries. We’ve got good depth, and we’ve got players who have been chomping at the bit to show what they can do. You’ll probably see changes but there will be more than enough to try and get the three points in this competition.
“You want to be in the competition because you want the squad to have more opportunities to play. You want depth to deal with the competition, but you also want to be in it so you can give more game-time to certain players. When you have depth in the squad it is definitely easier to deal with this competition.
“It’s going to be a tough game, any time you play a side from a lower division it’s difficult. It’s hard to plan for because you don’t know what to plan for, and conversely they don’t know what we’re going to do. We’re going to have to be on it, it’s going to be physical. We know it’s important to the fans even though it’s not in the league. More than anything it’s important to try and get through the group.”
Ring’s take:
“It does a lot for my confidence. Everyone wants to be involved and contribute to help the team win, so I was happy to get an assist.
“We’ve seen in the last few games that substitutes have come on and impacted the game, so everyone knows that and every player in the squad has to be ready to play.
“Yeah there’s a real confidence in the dressing room. We are confident but not cocky. We are still humble before every game, but we know what we can do and what our strengths are. It’s a good balance of confidence and still having respect for the opponent.”
A look at the opposition:
It has been five years since the Imps last met their local rivals in competitive action, and the Mariners host City having made a decent start to their season in Sky Bet League Two.
David Artell’s side currently sit 10th in the early standings, but did suffer a 3-0 home defeat to Doncaster Rovers last time out.
The last time the two sides met City came out on top with Harry Toffolo’s strike sealing all three points at the LNER Stadium.
Form: LWWWL
Top scorer: Danny Rose, Harvey Rodgers, Kieran Green, Charles Vernam, Jordan Davies (2 goals)
Match information:
City will play in their red home strip at Blundell Park, get yours HERE!
Oliver Mackay will be the match referee for the fixture on Tuesday evening and he will be supported by his assistants, William Cavanagh and Simon Clayton. Matthew Bacon will operate as the fourth official.