Adam Webster is the one Town player who can put himself in non-league Lincoln’s shoes as they plot an FA Cup shock at Portman Road tomorrow.
This time last year Webster was preparing for a trip to Suffolk as a member of the Portsmouth team that gained a draw and went on to eliminate Mick McCarthy’s men in a Fratton Park replay 10 days later.
The 22-year-old central defender caught the eye in both games, with McCarthy confirming his displays had helped to clinch his move to Town last summer.
The Imps, who will be backed by a travelling army of 4,833 at Portman Road, have lost only five of their 26 league games this season and Webster said: "Lincoln will be more excited than nervous because they have nothing to lose. That’s how we felt last year.
"We came here to face a Championship side and we were buzzing just from that point of view. The shackles will be off for them and that’s what makes it tricky for us.
"I remember the build-up was quite relaxed. The shackles were off and we were coming up here to play a team in the Championship so there wasn’t any pressure on us. It was literally a case of ‘Go and play’ and that’s what we did.
"That’s probably the way Lincoln are going to be looking at it and that’s what can make it difficult for us. As long as we are ready for it, hopefully we can get the right result. But these games are always difficult.
"Even when I was at Portsmouth I played against teams we were expected to beat and it can be difficult. Hopefully we can put that right and get a good result.”
Webster was asked if it would be Town feeling the pressure against a Lincoln side who defeated National League rivals Guiseley and Altrincham, from one level lower, and then League One strugglers Oldham in previous rounds.
He responded: "We’re professionals and it’s just another game for us. We know what to expect because of last year so hopefully we can do the job and get the right result.
"Hopefully, if we can outrun them — like we try to do to every other team — and work harder than them our quality should shine through.
"It’s a cup-tie and if you’re the lower league side there is literally no pressure on you because you are not expected to win. That’s how Lincoln will be feeling on Saturday. They’ll be thinking they have nothing to lose and we need to be ready for that.”