Mark Bonner sat down with local media on Monday prior to United’s clash with Doncaster at the Abbey Stadium on Tuesday night (18th January)…
On Saturday’s win:
“It was a good result for us on Saturday, a big one as well and I think sometimes when they come around in a manner that it did, the result can feel even bigger.
“We had some good chances in the second half actually, I thought we carried a good threat. The same in the first 5-10 minutes of the game, I thought we were good as well but then we lost our way a bit in the first half and Lincoln got a really strong hold of the game.
“We were desperate for half time to come around really, it enabled us to fix one or two things. We certainly relied on Dimi making a couple of excellent saves and defenders making some good blocks to keep us in the game.
“I was really pleased with our response and performance in the second half and was really pleased with the way in which we kept trying to chase the game and force the issue, it turns Saturday’s performance into a really good three points at the end of an excellent week for us.
“Hopefully this result just allows us to get back on track a little bit now [after a busy week]. It was a real test of our character and mentality as a team after a big day like last weekend, and it can very easily turn into after the Lord Mayor's show, but we did not let that happen.
“The lads were outstanding; they were really focussed and had the right mentality. It has been a very good week and to come out of it with three really good results and progression in every competition is vital for us and sets us up now for two home games this week that we need to perform well in.”
On Doncaster:
“I do not think we are anything other than underdogs, and if we start thinking we are not, then we are in trouble.
“We are new boys at this level, trying to show we can remain here and sustain our position here and win games. We played Doncaster early in the season and saw a tough game out. I have watched their last few games and they went toe-to-toe with Wigan at the weekend.
“They have had some tough games recently and they have been right in those games, of course there is an under belly that comes from a lack of confidence within the team. We have to try to make sure we can capitalise on that.
“There might be spells in the game where we have a bit more of the possession. Who knows, we certainly found our way, in that sense, in the first half on Saturday at Lincoln. We had quite a bit of the ball in the first half, certainly in the deeper part of the pitch, and it is about how well we use it.
“They have got some good players in their team, especially in central midfield. Ethan Galbraith and Matt Smith are both very good options, they have signed Kieran Agard, and they have got Omar Bogle back in and around the team. [Joe] Dodoo’s been causing big problems and they have probably had a little bit more direct playing them in recent games.”
Team News:
“We will see this morning where [George] Williams is this morning and whether he is with us and what shape he is in. So we will have to make a late call on that one. He is an important player for us so we will see how he goes.
“Everyone who was involved in Saturday’s game came through it alright and are available for tomorrow.
“Jensen [Weir] is training with the whole group this morning for the first time, me and him had our own ‘Super Sunday’ yesterday, it was just me and him at the training ground putting on a little session to get him back in shape.
“Kai [McKenzie-Lyle] is in rehab following his injury, we expect him to still be a few weeks away yet.”