3 Things We Learned Against Carlisle United

Following last night’s 2-2 draw at home against Carlisle United in Sky Bet League Two, we asked our members what three things they learned from the match.

Here’s what Brendan Bradley said:

1. For all the excellent signings that were made in the summer, the last minute addition of Jason Shackell looks like it was the most astute (and a bit lucky too). In the first couple of games this season our defending, especially in and around our area was frenetic, but his arrival calmed things down completely.

Now he’s out our defence looks susceptible with 5 conceded in 3 games, though the Port Vale match masked these failings. There is uncertainty back there which led to the calamitous second goal. For the first, our back line was a little square but to be honest it was a well made Carlisle goal. But Carlisle could have nicked a winner due to that uncertainty despite doing little going forwards in the second half.

2. We get outnumbered in midfield too easily sometimes at home. We’ve played a number of sides who have liked to move the ball through midfield, including Carlisle and there’s often a lot of space for them to exploit as only two are there, and they’re usually looking to get forward not back. This is a good thing, but we’re not capable of penning teams in like Man City.

3. It looks like our fairly open style of play is going to work better away from home on the counter-attack than with opponents thinking more defensively at Sincil Bank. If we’re going to run out of ideas and load the ball into the box late in the game it’s better to have Matt Rhead on then, rather than earlier.

Thank you to Graham Burrell and Lincoln City Football Club for the photograph!