The Imps are back on the road for Boxing Day as they take on Shrewsbury Town in Sky Bet League One (3pm KO).
Read the thoughts of head coach Michael Skubala and defender Lewis Montsma, and catch up on vital match information in this preview.
Skubala’s thoughts:
“I’ve always seen in training, Bailey’s finishing is great in and around the box. What you see is that instinct goalscoring player that we brought in on loan and what I really like about him is that he’s grown into the team and the tactical aspects that we’re asking him to do. I think we’re seeing the best of him now, hopefully he can keep moving in the right direction.
“It’s easy to say Reading weren’t on it because they were missing a few players but they were sixth in the league. They pick up points against other teams but we just stopped their threat which was their pressure. We controlled loads and I thought the professional performance was really pleasing.
“When you look at the first half at Huddersfield and Saturday we are starting to get more consistency but I believe even the games before that we had some really big moments and created chances now we just need to keep going in the right way and trying to do what we do and be us and then I think we can control games and be a real threat.”
Montsma’s thoughts:
“I feel good with where I am now with my recovery from the knee injury. I’ve played a lot of games so far. We could have picked up more points but personally it’s going well and I’m learning every game and very happy with where I am now.
“After Saturday I feel like we’ve got some momentum going on here and we need to stretch it out for the next few days and hopefully pick up some more points.”
A look at the opposition:
Shrewsbury Town sit bottom of League One and have conceded the most goals in the division after twenty games.
Gareth Ainsworth replaced Paul Hurst in November and won his first game in charge against high-flying Birmingham at home. They bounced back from three consecutive defeats and took a point at Wigan Athletic on the weekend, coming from two goals down to draw 2-2.
They have won two games at Crowd Meadow this season against Birmingham and a dominant victory against Leyton Orient earlier in the season.
Top scorer: George Lloyd, John Marquis (4 goals)
League form: WLLLD
Match information:
Declan Bourne is the match referee, with Oliver Spender and Jack Nield his assistants. Aaron Jackson is the fourth official.
The Imps will wear white on their travels, get yours HERE.