Lincoln City firmly believe that they can cause a major cup upset by beating Athletic on Monday at Sincil Bank. Latics’ assistant manager Ian Baraclough used to play for the Imps and watched them beat Wrexham to go top of the National League earlier this week. Lincoln are undefeated since September but Barraclough is adamant that the travelling Oldham army will be enough to bring the best out of the players.
He said, “Away games like this one don’t faze us. Our travelling fans have been a big part in that. They normally come in big numbers and we normally respond as a team to it as well. I know there will be a good atmosphere at Sincil Bank, having been there this week and with the excitement that is building around the Lincoln area about a League One team coming to town. They will fancy their chances, without a doubt, from talking to people in the stands and around the ground and also the people who are still there from when I was at the club. They are looking forward to this game. If we can match that, add to the atmosphere with our supporters and play the high-tempo game we like to, getting on the ball and being a possession-based team, it could have all the makings of a really good cup tie - hence the TV coverage. We have to make sure we are fully prepared for the physical battle and that we are able to go and play our game.”
“The manager Danny Cowley has come in and after a resurgence at the back end of last season, he has built on that. He has brought a new ethos into the place and as a former school teacher, along with his brother (assistant manager Nicky) they have taken a science-based look at things. The backer who came in during the summer from South Africa (Clive Nates) has helped as well. It will be a tough test, but one we are fully prepared for. We go to Lincoln as the League One team and the expectation is on us to take the game by the scruff of the neck. But, as cliched as it is, we have to earn the right to play our game. It is about mindset. That is something we have been getting across to the players this week. Mentally, we have to be strong to deal with being the favourites and with that expectation to go and win the tie.”