Bolton Wanderers (a): Three Things The Imps Need To Do To Win Today

Ahead of today’s match away at Bolton Wanderers in League One, I asked the Vital Lincoln City members what three things they think The Imps need to do to pick up all three points.

You can discuss what has been said in this article HERE, get involved with our Bolton Wanderers v Lincoln City Match Thread, and our pre-match threads: You can post your score predictions, discuss the starting XI, and predict the attendance!

Here’s what sedgleyimp said:

1. Defend tighter. I don’t think I’m giving away a huge secret here, but we don’t have a huge amount of pace in our defence. Bristol Rovers realised this a couple of weeks ago and were looking for through balls and those over the top to run onto as our defenders struggle with turning and running at speed. This was why Rushworth was rounded off his line at least twice. He seems to be the designated covering ‘defender’ for such opposition attacks. This can leave him in no man’s land as demonstrated in the Rovers game. So our defence really needs to work as a 5 (including the keeper who will need to identify very early if such an attack is forming) and defend tighter. This will also mean that midfielders and wide attackers dig in and support the defence. The full-backs can’t be left in a 1 on 1 situation as that will lead to the central defenders being dragged out of position which will lead to problems in the middle.

2. Be clinical. Bolton have only conceded 6 goals in 9 League games. That’s the best defensive record in the division. They don’t give much away. So if we get a chance we really need to take it. There probably won’t be that many and we certainly won’t be seeing the opposition Keystone cops defending of a couple of weeks ago. Chances that come cannot be wasted

3. Get control in the middle of the park. Bolton play what looks like 3 at the back with 5 in midfield. There is a danger that we could get overwhelmed in that key area. Our midfielders will need to get a very early grip on their midfielders and stop them from playing from that area. A game for players who can stop the opposition as opposed to creating I’d suggest. Might that mean a slight tweak to the normal formation and go almost with a 5 in the middle ourselves trying to stifle the game and play as a counter-attacking team? I’d think that might be a strong consideration.

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

Bolton Wanderers (a): Three Things The Imps Need To Do To Win Today:https://t.co/BJdnVtrsw9#BWFC #ImpsAsOne #WeAreImps

— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) October 1, 2022