DC: “We’re enjoying that challenge.”

Danny Cowley took the opportunity to address the mental psyche of staying top of the division, highlighting the importance of remembering what has got the club there whilst maintaining that to ensure a successful outcome ahead of the Northampton Town game.

The players: The squad have been on a different pathway this week with those not playing at Notts having a squad match at Chesterfield on Tuesday (4-1 victory) with lots of attacking good play on display and hands going up for selection on Saturday. This is one of about 15 such games per season (including the Checkatrade this year) targeted at ensuring everyone is match fit when called upon.

Bruno Andrade was hurt by his actions and mistake against Swindon with some soul searching accordingly. DC had observed him in training, showing a great response with no surprise at how well he played against Notts. DC doesn’t focus on the mistake (unless repeated), he is more interested in the response and BA has been brilliant.

DC praised James Wilson who has had limited opportunities due to the form of others and has had to play out of position when called upon; commenting on how well he played, in keeping with his excellent attitude and work ethic.

Harry Anderson did well to play 45 minutes at Notts and has only been ‘back on the grass’ as of today. Cian Bolger has been training this week.

DC put John Akinde’s role under the spotlight, being mystified at anyone who cannot see what he brings to the team. He felt JA was unrealistically being compared by a small minority to the combined roles that other top strikers at the club performed. In Matt Rhead, there is one of the best aerial and hold up strikers in the country and in Matt Green fans had seen somebody with a penchant for incredible running in the channels. If you put those two together you had Didier Drogba. JA has performed a pivotal position as the lone striker all season and if he hadn’t performed the key role so well as he has then Imps simply wouldn’t be top.

In overview, this is the strongest squad under the tenure of DC who are providing very welcome competition. Individually the players will undergo some disappointment during the season be it injury, loss of form, suspension etc. All DC asks of the players is that they put it aside for the greater benefit of the team so that the nice depth and balance we currently have can be maintained.

Northampton: Keith Curle has managed them for enough games for a clear style to have emerged. Although they have lost Matt Crookes to Rotherham they still have very healthy XG (expected goals) in the stats, charts and deservedly won at Tranmere in midweek. Of note is their excellent away record at the top sides in the division.

Psychology and Effects of Topping the Table: Imps have been top of 28/30 of the rounds of games; have just played 7/9 away from home and only lost 1 in 14. That is very pleasing and DC recognised how tough it is being at the summit for so long. Everyone brings their A game against ‘us’ so the best of opponents is consistently seen. Whilst it is not easy ‘we’ should neither get ahead of ourselves or fear the pressure it brings. Rather ‘we’ should enjoy the challenges that being top brings and use that to drive the standards, finding a way to succeed. DC knows the defining qualities that have got ‘Imps’ to the top namely resilience, grit, character, work effort, togetherness and unbelievable support. Above all else it has been everybody on and off the pitch being aligned; everyone must keep remembering that and keep bringing it game in and game out.

DC touched upon the criticism from a small minority using social media. He put it down to modern society where the minority seemed to require social acceptance to be measured in the numbers of re-tweets, likes, views etc. and suggested that this minority maybe were motivated to simply say stuff for effect. DC called upon the majority to not waste their efforts on those people – this is a club that took nigh on 5k to Notts and has almost sold out their next two home games. DC’s message was ignore the few and for everyone to vote with their vocal cords and get behind the boys on Saturday. That has helped get us where we are and will be needed in abundance for the remainder of the season. This has the potential to be a special season in the history of the club and come May we do not want to be looking back with regrets so let’s continue as we have with the whole of Lincoln aligned.

Writer: hulloutpost

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