The Game
Argyle v Lincoln City. Saturday, 7 February. 3pm. Sky Bet League One.
The Opposition
Lincoln are second in League One, with 58 points from their 29 games this season. They have lost just five times.
One of those defeats was in the second game of the season, losing to Wimbledon, following an opening-day win over Reading. Lincoln then beat Argyle and Northampton Town in succession, before drawing three times in a row. Next came three wins – beating Burton Albion, Luton Town and Peterborough United – taking them to the end of September.
Form over the next two months was more sporadic. A surprise loss at home to Exeter City ended the unbeaten run, and it was one of four defeats in seven, with just two wins in that time.
However, the Imps have not lost in the league since defeat at Wycombe Wanderers on 22 November. This is a 12-game run in which Lincoln have won nine times, six of which have been at home. Their most recent three games have all been victories, beating Burton, Bradford City and Wigan Athletic.
The Gaffer
Michael Skubala is one of few managers to have not played football professionally at any stage in his career. Instead, the 43-year-old spent time working as a PE teacher at a college in Leicestershire, whilst fulfilling roles in the academies of both Coventry City and Nottingham Forest. Eventually, he gave up teaching to become head coach of the England national futsal team.
After three years in the role, Skubala became a coach for the England under-18 side, whilst also taking up the football advisor role at UEFA. In 2022, the former teacher was appointed head coach of Leeds United’s under-21s, eventually taking the step up to coach the Whites’ first team under Javi Gracia.
Midway through the 2023/24 campaign, Skubala was appointed as Lincoln City’s head coach, where he has since remained in post. After narrowly missing out on the play-offs in his first campaign in charge, Skubala used last season to rebuild his Lincoln side, building them to become the title hopefuls they are in 2025/26.
The Squad
Jack Moylan began the season in the team, playing the first three games, scoring in the game against Harrogate Town in the Carabao Cup, but he got injured in the same game, and missed three months with an ankle injury. He returned to the team in November, and of late has been in excellent goalscoring form. In his last three games, Moylan scored both goals in the 2-1 win over Burton, scored one in a 3-0 win over Bradford, and the only goal in the victory over Wigan.
Conor McGrandles has started 28 of Lincoln’s 29 games in the league. Starting with Falkirk, the midfielder joined Norwich City, but barely played for the Canaries, moving on to Milton Keynes Dons for three seasons, and then joining Lincoln in 2020. After two seasons of regular football for the Imps, McGrandles went to Charlton Athletic, but had loans with Cambridge United and back at Lincoln, who he then returned to, permanently, in the summer of 2024. Now 30, he has played in the heart of Lincoln’s midfield all season.
Tom Hamer has featured in every league game in some capacity for Lincoln, starting 23 of them, in various defensive positions, mostly at centre-back. The 26-year-old started with Oldham Athletic, playing just over 100 games, then moving to Burton, where he racked up almost 150 appearances, before joining Lincoln in July 2024.
Previous Meeting
Argyle and Lincoln met in the third game of the season, at the LNER Stadium. Lincoln led early through Tom Bayliss, and added two more by the 65th minute, both courtesy of James Collins. Argyle rallied, with goals from Owen Oseni and Xavier Amaechi, on 78 and 80 minutes, and thought they had a chance for an equaliser when Brendan Wiredu went down in the penalty area. However, instead of a penalty, Wiredu was shown a second yellow card, for simulation, and was sent off. Argyle lost 3-2.
Argyle TV
Argyle TV’s coverage will begin with the Breakfast Show, from 10am-midday, before the Pre-Match Show, from 2.30pm with Erin Black joined by Chris Hargreaves. Commentary of the game comes from Charlie Price and Ian Stonebridge.
Match passes to watch this game are available overseas. CLICK HERE for more information.
