Following the 1-0 defeat away at Oxford United in League One, we asked our members what three things they learned from the match.
Here’s what PerthImp said:
1. We need goals! Even with Walker and Akinde on together we still can’t score (though we look a tad more likely). I suspect the problem is not necessarily the strikers but more the quality of the ball into the box. We are just too predictable – crosses into the box seem to outweigh threaded balls or one-two’s to allow the strikers and midfielders a run and shot at goal. It’s not as simple as that but that’s one element we seem to lack. Not long ago we had players scoring from virtually every position in the team. How often does that happen lately and why has that changed?
2. Michael Appleton seems to be a good, thoughtful manager, given what he’s currently got work with. In our current position, he’s giving Ellis Chapman every chance for a run in the side to develop his potential, which is great for an 18-year-old in League 1. However, bringing back Morrell against Oxford he obviously realised the team needed certain fighting qualities which Joe could bring more than Ellis. Proved right from what I could see.
3. The midfield needs a re-vamp and I hope the January window allows MA the chance to do that. We do have some quality players but they just don’t always seem to pull it together. We need a ‘general’ in the Freck mould. Michael O’Connor has shown that he can be the glue that binds the team together but his role is more defensive and breaking play up. We need someone who can hold the ball, bring other players into the game, thread telling balls into the box and even get on the end of moves to score the odd goal. When you examine the players we have (& we have a few midfielders) they each have their qualities but they just don’t seem to work that well together, in my opinion.
Did you go to this match? Don’t forget to Rate The Players, Vote For Your Man of The Match, Rate The Ref and share your views on our Match Thread!
And here’s what Jamesimp said:
1. We do not have good enough distributors at the back to keep playing the ball out of defence. Too many times we’re getting caught as the right and left wing-back is closed down and simply doesn’t look comfortable.
2. If we are going to persist in the 4-4-1-1 set up we have to move the ball forward a lot quicker with less backward passing, by the time telling ball is played the loan striker is surrounded by 3 defenders and has nowhere to go.
3. We need to switch to 2 forwards from the start, not drag them back to defend corners and actually go at teams from the start, not that we have anything to lose, we’ve lost too many games by the odd goal.
Thank you to Graham Burrell and Lincoln City Football Club for the photograph!
"It's not as simple as that but that's one element we seem to lack."https://t.co/YgN2dt1JPu#OUFC #ImpsAsOne #ProudToBeImps
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) December 28, 2019
https://www.facebook.com/VitalLincolnCity/posts/2621494261220136
