Following last night’s 2-0 defeat away at Derby County in the EFL Trophy, I asked the Vital Lincoln City members what three things they learnt from the match.
Who was your Man of The Match last night? You have until 21:02 today to provide ONE nomination each HERE.
Here’s what sedgleyimp said:
1. Sometimes the result isn’t the important thing. Okay, you might say that I am saying that from the perspective of having lost a game 2-0, but the EFL trophy or Cheesy Wotsit Cup (whatever it’s called nowadays) is a competition that it is very difficult to get excited about until you get to the last 8 and you think about a great day out under the Wembley Arch, yet last night showed that this competition has some value in seeing how players are developing. The team we put out last night was very much a second XI on the whole yet they put up a decent fight against an experienced Derby side. Players who don’t get that much exposure to a full ninety minutes got that game time and that will be vital as the season progresses and it is looking more and more likely that these players will be needed in league games further down the line.
2. Can Jovan Makama fill that void at the head of the attack? On last night’s showing, I think he can. Our injury problems in the striker position are well documented yet we have a young forward in Jovan Makama who has benefited from training day in and day out with Ben House. His performance last night was very reminiscent of how we rely on House. Makama put pressure on their defence and showed a capability of holding up the ball and strength to hold off his opponent. What we need though are players that will play that bit closer to him so that he can bring them into the game in attacking positions. Hopefully, the return of the likes of Hackett and Mandroiu will offer that extra support to Jovan. I will say though, don’t expect a hatful of goals from him, but given game time and opportunities his assist record will be good.
3. Alistair Smith needs to be played in his best position. It can’t be any coincidence that his best two performances in a City shirt which came last night at in the cup win at Notts County have come when he has been in that central midfield position. When he has filled in as one of the wide attackers the game has passed him by. When he has played in the middle he has shown what a very good player we have. This of course leads to something of a dilemma for Mark Kennedy. If we play with a two in the middle, if they are fit and available that will always be the two Ethan’s. Both of them are first names on the team sheet players. So how do we accommodate Smith into this other than as a substitute for one of them? Our striker problem just might lead to the answer of playing 3 in the middle of the park in games, and if that happens Smith can flourish in his best role.
Thank you to Graham Burrell and Lincoln City Football Club for the photograph!
– @DCFCOfficial 2-0 @LincolnCity_FC: Three Things We Learnt:https://t.co/gtqDeLJ42d#DCFC #WeAreImps
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) September 20, 2023
