Imps News

“I think we perhaps just edged the game overall.”

|

Views from Joseph Lovett following Saturday’s 1-0 win at home against Crewe Alexandra in Sky Bet League Two: “Not great today, but not terrible either. Those who can remember pre-Cowley know what terrible really is. Felt a bit like an end of season game between two middling teams. I think we perhaps just edged the game overall. Crewe had a 5-10 period in the first half and went for broke at the end of the match after the penalty, but other than we controlled the match. Had Freck scored the penalty we would have probably coasted to a win as Crewe got some motivation from the poor miss. However, instead, we had withstood a small siege. Normally we’re very good at eating up the minutes in injury time, but today we kept giving the ball away.

We had a couple of very good opportunities today but the final ball and finishing was again lacking. I was a bit surprised to see O’Connor named man of the match. He didn’t have a bad game as such, but he often overcomplicates what should be simple passes. Instead of keeping it on the floor he likes to put them in the air, which are often more difficult to control. For me, the man of the match should have been Shackell. He was dominant in defence and was a cool head at all times.

With regards to Akinde; I thought he started a bit sloppy but quickly grew into the game. He seems to often be involved in goals. Just needs a goal to keep the haters off his back.

As people have said Pett coming on turned the game and Green looked very sharp as well. Pett plays incisive passes and asks questions of defence; he’s aware and not one afraid to battle. It seemed a harsh decision to drop him before the match and now I’d be very surprised if he hasn’t played himself to the starting 11 again.

Crewe looked a semi-decent outfit. They played some good football at times and looked to exploit some of our weaknesses: balls over the top, loading the midfield and some width at times. That said we defended most of the game very well and limited them to little. They’ll be a comfortable upper mid-table team.

One thing that did concern me slightly was how tired some of the players looked. At times players seemed to be slow to react to the ball or maybe I’m being overly critical. I know we had a Tuesday game and most of the starting 11 have played a lot of minutes, but still a worry. Harry looked knackered after 10 minutes!

Solid 3 points today! Give the players a good rest and they’ll be raring to go. The table looks a good sight tonight. Enjoy the moment.”

More views from the Match Thread:

Gaz_Imp: “Not great today, but not bad either, very much ok.

Thought Freck was actually having a good game until pen miss. Also thought Akinde won a lot in the air today but the support act didn’t get close enough. We needed to get Andrade in the game more early on.

One thing is for sure, Pett should be the 2nd name on the team sheet at the moment only behind Shackell. Speaking of Shackell, he was immense and the man of the match for me. Although O’Connor did have a solid game to be fair.”

impsimps: “Not read what’s gone before, but thought the two away games on the bounce had taken a lot out of them. Out on their feet at the end, gave everything, just about deserved it, made up for Tuesday’s disappointment. Akinde did very well again, O’Connor had his best game for me. It’s games like that that win you promotion. UTI.”

Thank you to Graham Burrell and Lincoln City Football Club for the photograph!

Posted by Vital Lincoln City on Monday, 8 October 2018

Lincoln City
1 – 0
Crewe Alexandra

Sincil Bank Stadium

Sky Bet League Two

6/10/2018 3:00 pm

Attendance: 8718

Referee: Paul Marsden

Lincoln City Crewe Alexandra
Pett 58'
Vickers Garratt
O'Connor Ng
 
Shackell Ray
Frecklington
 
Porter 86'
Andrade Jones 72'
Toffolo Bowery
Bostwick Ainley
McCartan 77' Wintle
Eardley Kirk
Anderson 56' Whelan
Akinde 65' O'Connor 86'

Substitutes

Slocombe Richards
Gordon Pickering 72'
Wharton Raynes
Pett 56' Miller
Rhead 77' Nicholls 86'
Green 65' Finney 86'
Mensah Hunt

Game Statistics

9 Goal attempts 7
5 On Target 3
7 Corners 8
11 Fouls 15
1 Yellow Cards 1
0 Red Cards 0
50 % 50

Share this article

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *