Michael Appleton took time to discuss the criteria for team selection and the position of several individuals ahead of the game versus Plymouth Argyle (managed by Ryan Lowe).
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Games to Date: MA is expecting a number of the teams we have already played to do much better in the league over a full season. He name-checked Oxford, also Charlton who did (late) good transfer business. Fleetwood are an example of a side that did well last season and in spite of them playing a far more direct style against Imps on Saturday, MA sees them as a side with a wealth of experience to be right up there. He believed that arguably the Fleetwood game was Imps best performance of the season thus far.
At this stage, it is all about collecting points though and by the end of October ‘we’ will have played 10 games and that can be a time to see where we are.
As an aside MA highlighted that the 7pm midweek kick-off time was a good thing from his point of view. It cut down on the waiting time that can be much of a drag, especially on away trips. When crowds return MA hopes there will be a common-sense discussion about retaining the earlier kick-offs seeing it as a boon for families attending games.
Plymouth: They are a good side who in Ryan Lowe have a well-respected manager; he has enjoyed success at L1 and L2 level. They play a good brand of football, usually deploying three at the back. MA is hopeful and confident of a good, open game of football.
Who Are The League One Managers? No.17: Ryan Lowe (Plymouth Argyle)
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Squad Selection and Individual Players Status: Choosing a starting 11 is based upon several factors including the human/medical, who the opposition are and the turn around time i.e. is it 3 or 4 days. Joe Walsh, for example, will be telling MA he is fit to play but he has to consider the medical advice about back to back games after such a long lay off and running the risk of a much longer injury as a consequence.
Jorge Grant is a concern and it is a bit of a mystery what the problem is. He came off on Saturday feeling sick and dizzy with people wrongly assuming he had concussion. Jorge will see a doctor today and we need to get to the bottom of it.
Tom Hopper came through the game fine and has done some training. Adam Jackson is still carrying an ankle knock but there are other CH options in Sean Roughan and TJ Eyoma. So far as MA is concerned the bigger and tougher the decisions he has to make on selection, it paradoxically makes his life easier.
Alex Bradley is a week away and has missed one transfer window but he can go out on loan to NL clubs. However, that is absolutely Alexs’ decision and MA will not be pushing him out the door as he is more than happy to have Alex around. At the same time, he would never stand in the way of a player getting game time.
Callum Morton will be doing his re-hab at Lincoln. He is desperate to be part of the group and to be involved. The feeling from MA is mutual. He knows that opposition managers are aware of what a real handful Callum is and MA cannot wait for him to be back as a real boost to the strength of the team and squad.
Writer: hulloutpost
If you haven’t already had a go at our quizzes, this is a great way to learn some random information about the Football Club, as well as helping us generate much-needed page views: Quiz No.1, Quiz No.2, Quiz No.3, Quiz No.4, Quiz No.5, Quiz No.6, Quiz No.7, Quiz No.8, Quiz No.9, Quiz No.10, Quiz No.11, Quiz No.12, Quiz No.13, Quiz No.14, Quiz No.15, Quiz No.16, Quiz No.17, Quiz No.18, Quiz No.19, Quiz No.20, Quiz No.21, Quiz No.22, Quiz No.23, Quiz No.24, Quiz No.25, Quiz No.26, Quiz No.27, Quiz No.28, Quiz No.29 and Quiz No.30.
MA: "He won't be getting carried away. I'm not getting carried away."https://t.co/jvqcgJH2Ft#ImpsAsOne #ProudToBeImps #PAFC pic.twitter.com/bpNOHRauP8
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln1) October 19, 2020
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