Chris Cohen has spoken candidly about the relentless demands of second-tier football as Lincoln City prepare to travel to Millwall just three days after a 6-0 home defeat by West Ham.

The 39-year-old, who shares managerial duties at Sincil Bank with Tom Shaw, told BBC Radio Lincolnshire that there has been little opportunity to sit with the result from Wednesday evening. With the trip to The Den scheduled for a 12:30 kick-off on Saturday, the turnaround has been sharp.

No time to dwell

Cohen was straightforward about the reality of operating in the Championship. The speed at which fixtures arrive means post-mortems are kept short, and the squad has had to shift attention almost immediately to a Millwall side that will present its own set of difficulties.

It is a pattern Lincoln have had to adapt to quickly. The Imps returned to the second tier this season after an absence of 65 years, and every week has underlined quite how unforgiving the division is. A heavy midweek loss is painful enough; the fixture computer does not grant extended recovery time.

An "incredibly hard" education

Cohen's characterisation of the Millwall assignment as "incredibly hard" was not press-release caution; it was a straightforward description of what Lincoln are facing across the course of the season. The Den is among the more hostile away grounds in the division, and Millwall have the means to make life uncomfortable for a newly promoted side still finding its feet at this level.

The co-management arrangement between Cohen and Shaw was itself an unconventional response to the challenge of leading a club back into the Championship after such a long absence. Whether that structure is helping Lincoln absorb these early lessons more effectively than a single head coach might is something that will only become clear as the campaign develops.

What is plain already is that results have been difficult. Six goals conceded at home is a significant setback, and it follows a fixture run that has given Lincoln very little breathing room. Cohen himself acknowledged after the West Ham defeat that the 3-0 scoreline he might have considered fairer was not the one that appeared on the board.

What Saturday holds

The early Saturday kick-off at Millwall will offer little margin for sentiment. Lincoln will need to be well-organised defensively if they are to avoid another heavy afternoon, and Cohen's job between now and 12:30 on Saturday is to ensure the squad is mentally reset.

For supporters making the trip to south London, the ask is familiar: turn up, make noise, and trust that the club is learning. Lincoln's 65-year absence from this level means every fixture carries a degree of novelty as well as difficulty. Cohen, to his credit, is not dressing that up in language designed to manage expectations. He is calling it what it is.

The Championship table will be updated on Saturday afternoon. Whatever the result at The Den, Lincoln will have precious little time before the next challenge arrives.

Frequently asked

What time does Lincoln City vs Millwall kick off on Saturday?
The match at Millwall's The Den kicks off at 12:30 BST on Saturday.
Who is Lincoln City's head coach?
Lincoln City share the head coach role between Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw, an arrangement in place since the Imps were promoted to the Championship.
How long was Lincoln City out of the Championship before this season?
Lincoln City were absent from the second tier for 65 years before winning promotion ahead of this campaign.