Danny Cowley was extremely candid and realistic ahead of the match against Premier League side Everton in the Second Road of the Carabao Cup tomorrow evening.
Doncaster: DC was pleased with ball possession and control, less so with lack of compactness, being too open and the spacing between players. Those would have been the things Imps would be working on training this week but there is the small matter of Everton in the cup to deal with. The game couldn’t have actually come at a better time in that respect as it gives Imps the opportunity to practice all those things against a supercharged outfit – important aspects for the league campaign.
Everton: Confirmed they will be playing their first 11, a competition they want to win, DC was expecting that (favourable schedule) but has also planned for rotation. They can play 4-2-3-1 or with Delph 4-3-3. Everton have an even better squad than the last meeting but it is important Imps don’t show them too much respect in the opening phase as that cost the game in FA Cup. DC will use his tried and trusted approach of breaking the game down into 6 x 15 minutes – stay in the game and look to counter punch for that one chance; the focus in training has been on that. Valuable learning has been gleaned for everybody simply by watching Everton closely, seeing how their players create space, understand how to use it, draw out the opposition and open up opportunities to get their full-backs in. DC enjoys and understands the method of achieving success as underdogs – it relies on the players buying into the mentality and tactics of doing the ugly things without the ball.
DC really hates losing (beat his son 5 times at chess last night and made him cry but he won). Ideally, DC would like the next game to be the most important and he finds it aggravating, annoying and frustrating when he can’t. However it is not about himself, DC understands how important it has been for Imps to get back into L1 and how that status matters to everyone and it is his job to take recognizance of that. He will be using the squad with that in mind and the schedule of games. Ellis Chapman will be playing if he overcomes food poisoning and whilst low on numbers the squad is high on ability.
Imps see Everton as footballing friends but wants and needs the fans to really crank it up to create a hostile atmosphere – they will need to be the 12 to 14th man for this game.
Ongoing League Disruption: DC was appreciative of the brilliant job of organising the league the EFL had done this year. They should be commended for their decision making that had created a really fair league and even playing field. He made a passionate case for LCFC living by the rules of financial fair play and being disadvantaged through doing so. Rules have to be in place for the good of the football and the competition. Rules should be there to protect not only the likes of Bolton and Bury but the other 70 clubs. DC made it clear that he really did want those two clubs to survive for the sake of their supporters and hinted that having got in trouble with the EFL last week he probably will this week but it’s the truth, it’ s a farce and it is our livelihoods and profession at stake.
Transfers: No permanent signings expected in or out unless somebody signs an Imps player which DC neither wants nor encourages. There will be one or two loan additions but probably relying on good relationships for clubs to loan players for development rather than financial reasons, late on in the window. DC looking to provide more cover defensively, also in midfield where there have been injuries. Ideally, he would like another number 9 but the finances aren’t there and he would rather have his 2 very good ones than 3 average ones.
Writer: hulloutpost
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DC: "We're pleased. We want to play their very best team.":https://t.co/PSaIc25t0u#ImpsAsOne #EFC #EvertonFC
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) August 27, 2019
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