Following last night’s 3-1 win away at Bristol City in the Third Round of the League Cup, I asked the Vital Lincoln City members what three things they learnt from the match.
You can discuss what has been said in this article HERE, as well as get involved with our post-match threads: Vote For Your Man of The Match, Rate The Players, and Rate The Ref!
Here’s what sedgleyimp said:
1. Game tempo is absolutely vital. I’ve said it before. I think Mark Kennedy has mentioned in more than once, but so very often we start in a really slow gear. Last night was the opposite. We were at it from the kick off, getting in their faces and playing in a positive manner. This is what supporters like to see. We won’t always make that early pressure and momentum turn into two goals, but it will keep supporters, especially those who only go to home games, very much on the side of the team. A shot from distance, a crunching tackle or just some speedy passing interchanges will be warmly welcomed at Sincil Bank in the opening minutes of any home game. It will keep the atmosphere up and that will encourage the players to keep trying those little pieces of invention that can be the difference between winning and losing.
2. There is nothing like a debacle to concentrate the mind. Saturday’s loss at Chippenham was nothing short of a disgrace and it cannot be forgotten just by one subsequent performance and win. But will we look back when we review the season come May as that clear low point, and let’s be honest the worst game of the season contest is already closed, and think it was the kick up the backside that the team needed. I’m certain that the players and management would have been hurting from that game and it showed in this win how much it did. That hurt though still needs to be there for the challenges ahead as it clearly brought the best out of the team in this game.
3. Don’t you just love this game of football. It never ceases to amaze how different things can go in a little over 72 hours. We are all passionate about our team and love to vent when we are down but will praise when they are on the up. The variation in emotions over that short period shows why we keep coming back and long may it continue (though with fewer downs please).
And here’s what PWould said:
Watched live in the stadium.
Well I went to the game full of angst, having been to the debacle of Chippenham a few days earlier. Of our star dust forward line quartet, there was only one sighting. Oh, one day to have Diamond, Mandriou Bishop and House on the same pitch.
Shock horror, not only were we ultra competitive we almost took the piss at times as was joyously sung by the faithful. We all had a ball. Anyway, on to the three things we learnt. Let’s break it down into the 3 areas of the pitch.
FORWARDS:
Well we only had 2, so even more defensive than usual,? Actually no, we were excellent throughout on the counter. What a shift from both House and Vernam. I read a few Bristol City match reports and one thing stood out, their central defence, did not cope with Ben’s movement. He is really starting to grow into a proper centre forward. What does Jez George know about recruitment? So much so, that we had Kennedy name checking House after the game as if he were touting for bidders from the championship to come and have a look at him. Not really, what I wanted go hear, but let’s move on. Vernam was an even bigger surprise for me, he played with real personality on the ball.
MIDFIELD:
I am getting used to seeing our midfield two , battling hard, but being overrun. Also the midfield area, being bypassed. It even happened a bit at Chippenham. I am still a bit scarred at seeing Paudie bringing the ball out from the back. It was therefore intriguing to see a three and how well they all did. Neat interplay, bravery on the ball, keeping their shape. Max and Tashan were both excellent, but what’s better than excellent, well, Matty Virtue. He covered every blade of grass. A special mention to Tashan, because he was the one who also supplemented the front two, alongside the wingback. Remember we had no wide right forward. Sanders and Virtue both played the holding role, but there was plenty of fluidity to the system. We did not just park the bus.
DEFENCE:
Colossal, they shall not pass stuff. Yes in part, but for the first 70 minutes we were pretty comfortable.
The last 20 , bodies on the line, blocks everywhere. Back to fluidity again, I Could see that Paudie and Jackson were central, but the wingbacks ,nominally, Poole and Roughan seemed to combine wide with TJ. I am no strategist, but it was a mightily effective back line, supplemented by the assured Rushworth. Don’t be fooled into thinking Bristol City’s team was full of B listers. The Robins I spoke too were surprised at the relative strength, Klose, Swiss international, Semenyo, going to the world Cup with Ghana. ( don’t put any money on Ghana doing well by the way, his performance was pure comedy gold) Weiman the captain, Austrian International. Add grizzled veterans like Andy King, Chris Martin and Rob Kennedy. Then those adding to the fire power in the second half, Conway the rising star, Nahki Wells, yet another international and Martin. All made a difference but still we played bravely and sensibly and then our game management came into play. I met up with an old mate of mine, a Robins season ticket holder, he was mightily impressed by our performance. He hopes we get a plum draw in the next round. One of the great imp away performances. We had a bit of everything. Including all the noise from the terrace. It was an intoxicating experience.
Bristol City 1-3 Lincoln City: Three Things We Learnt:https://t.co/4giDxVnIjx#BristolCity #ImpsAsOne #WeAreImps
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) November 9, 2022
