Danny Cowley hails Matt Green’s team-first approach
Posted Sunday, August 12, 2018 by PA
Danny Cowley praised team player Matt Green after the striker capped Lincoln’s 4-1 victory over Swindon with a late goal and assist.
The Imps cruised to a second successive victory in League Two against another side expected to challenge for promotion this season.
John Akinde’s penalty and a close-range strike from Michael Bostwick put Cowley’s side 2-0 up before Michael Doughty pulled a goal back with a spot-kick of his own just before the break.
Swindon had most of the possession in the second half, but still barely troubled Imps keeper Josh Vickers.
Harry Toffolo made it 3-1 following Green’s knock-down before the substitute scored the fourth soon after.
Despite scoring the only goal in last Saturday’s opening day win at Northampton, Green was dropped to the bench as Cowley changed the shape of his side.
“It was a really good start and I thought we were excellent for half-an-hour,” said Cowley.
“Then we lost our way, but we finished the game really strongly. The subs [Green, Tom Pett and Jason Shackell] came on and had a significant impact on the game. That’s what we’re looking for.
“I’m really pleased for Greeny because, after scoring the winner last week, he could have easily sulked, but he sees the bigger picture.
“Not many forwards are team orientated but he is. Football is an honest game. If you’re honest and put the team first, you normally get your rewards.”
Cowley still insisted there is room for improvement in his new-look side.
“At 2-0 we needed to be more ruthless, take the game by the scruff of the neck and find the third goal,” he said.
Unhappy Swindon boss Phil Brown said he needs to change the mentality of his side, and hinted at new loan signings.
“There’s youth and inexperience in the side, and lack of cohesion and belief, which I thought might have been resolved by a 95th equaliser and a 99th minute winner [against Macclesfield] last week.
“We said to the players in there [the dressing room] that there’s a fundamental problem with the mentality in the group.
“We’ve conceded ten goals in three games if you include the Checkatrade Trophy game [against Chelsea Under-21s].
“That’s the wrong mentality. I don’t like conceding goals, I like to keep clean sheets.
“The hangover from last season is still there and I’ve got to try everything I possibly can to get rid of it.
“The only way I can probably do that is by bringing in a couple of experienced players who can head it and kick in this division.
“Lincoln do that with great efficiently and to great effect. They’re probably the best second-ball and restart team in the division.”
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