Following Saturday’s 3-1 win at home against Sheffield Wednesday in League One, I asked the Vital Lincoln City members what three things they learned from the match.
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Here’s what sedgleyimp said:
1. There is a Plan B and C. I and many others over the last few weeks were saying that we really needed to try 3 at the back with wing-backs. I don’t think any of us though Michael Appleton would deviate from the usual, but he did and it worked a treat. I do think that an apparent reluctance to try this formation before has been due to a lack of fit central defenders but we are now in the position of having Poole, Eyoma, Walsh and Jackson available to place in that 3, and those who played in those positions on Saturday fitted into it perfectly. Josh Griffiths had one of his quietest games for many weeks and that was because we had that extra covering man at the back. So well done to the management team for identifying these options. They might not be suitable for each and every game but they will make opposition managers have to think that bit harder when they come up against us.
2. The return to fitness of Tom Hopper has come when we really needed it. We missed him so much during his extended absence. He is still getting back to his very best but our second goal on Saturday showed exactly what he brings to the team. Very often we have got into terrific positions this season but the decisions made have been wrong. Tom got into such a position on Saturday and took a few seconds to assess what was needed and played a superb ball to the onrushing Norton-Cuffy. If he had been fit all season we would have been far higher in the league.
3. Speaking of Norton-Cuffy, well Arsenal have some prospect on their books. Raw yes, but he gets the home crowd off their feet so often and will become a huge favourite with (probably) the Emirates crowd and hopefully us Imps for the remainder of this season and beyond if some extended loan deal can be arranged. England are pretty well off for right-backs, but Gareth Southgate would do well to make a note about him now and monitor how he develops.
Thank you to Graham Burrell and Lincoln City Football Club for the photograph!
Have a go at our Lincoln City v Sheffield Wednesday Quiz:
Lincoln City 3-1 Sheffield Wednesday:
Three Things We Learned:https://t.co/mEowgMth6t#ImpsAsOne #SWFC
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) March 7, 2022
