Following Saturday’s 1-1 draw away at Ipswich Town in the First Round of The Emirates FA Cup, we asked our members what three things they learned from the match.
Here’s what Impala said:
1. Good to see the tactics being changed early in the game. Bruno started on the left and had a quiet start; switched to the right and he had a great spell in the first half creating the goal and other chances.
2. Michael O’Connor is vital to the system we are playing. Ran the show in the first half and Ipswich only had one clear cut chance. From the moment he went off on 50 minutes it was backs to the wall and an equaliser looking inevitable (Ellis Chapman did well, but didn’t dominate midfield like O’Connor).
3. Crowds around the country show that fans lack interest in the FA Cup, and the inhabitants of Suffolk were no different with over 5,000 regular home fans missing yesterday (although to their credit it was still the best crowd of the round). This was Ipswich’s only home game for four weeks and only £10 (£2 for kids), but disappointingly they fielded a weakened team; the programme cover featuring the 1978 winning team and reminded us of a truly great side and period in their history.
Who Do You Think Will Win The First Round Replay?
Lincoln City
Ipswich Town
And here’s what RedImp73 said:
1. As per Impala’s comment above keeping O’Connor fit is crucial. We saw at Peterborough the difference when he went off and it was the same again on Saturday. Chapman did OK but he just isn’t O’Connor. He just seems to run the game from his position holding in front of the back 4 and is the one player that a long term injury to would really hurt us. He’s almost the new Bostwick (and boy do we miss him) in terms of being indispensable.
2. Connolly is really growing into the centre half role and had another good game. He did really well at Portsmouth up against Marquis most of the night and did well again on Saturday. Aside from height and experience, I don’t think it’s a given that Bolger will go straight back into the side at Gillingham as can’t see anything that Connolly has done wrong. That said, with Morell away and O’Connor possibly injured he may need to play in midfield.
3. Good to see Appleton and Lincoln taking the game seriously. it was essentially a first-choice XI (unlike Ipswich and many, many others). It’s clear he has a vision for moving forwards at least in terms of players he does and doesn’t want to be involved. Subject to suitable recruitment in January I’m not really sure what the future holds for Akinde and Anderson, other than a move away.
Thank you to Graham Burrell and Lincoln City Football Club for the photograph!
"He had a great spell in the first half creating the goal and other chances."https://t.co/IApl10M4Em#ITFC #ImpsAsOne #ProudToBeImps
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) November 11, 2019
https://www.facebook.com/VitalLincolnCity/posts/2518995324803364
