MA: “I’m quite comfortable having a difficult conversation.”

Michael Appleton was candidly frank across a range of subjects ahead of the Burton Albion match on Saturday.

Position With Players: Jason Shackell has no future at Lincoln. There has been an amicable and frank discussion between MA and JS which has led to an arrangement being made with Jason’s representatives that suits all parties. It was a dead honest conversation where two people spoke their minds. MA doesn’t know if JS is annoyed angry or upset as the most honest discussions can be the most difficult but MA strongly believes in being straight and he is personally comfortable doing that.

It is bad news for Tyreece John-Jules who following a knock to the foot has a confirmed slight fracture to a tarsal which has ended his season. He has impressed MA during his loan spell particularly with his work rate, runs off the ball and being prepared to mix it physically with some tough centre-halves. He will be missed as it is a big blow but it is not all bad news as Arsenal have been delighted at the ongoing discourse and input that Imps have had about TJJ development. Whilst MA cannot say whether the specific player would be back at Imps next season he is aware of very good players at that club. MA feels he can add Arsenal to a list of clubs like the two Manchester sides, Everton and West Ham with who he enjoys an excellent relationship.

Tom Hopper can step up now, a player MA has no concerns about scoring goals. It is simply incumbent on the team to provide the correct service. TH isn’t a 20 a season player but will comfortably hit double figures each year. Anthony Scully and Jake Hesketh can be expected to play more of a 9 role in addition to Tom. MA sees these players in training along with the likes of Harry Anderson and Jorge Payne and there is no reason why they cannot replicate their finishing that he sees there within the setting of competitive matches. It is something which has been worked on specifically during the two week lay off; the opportunity to work with the players whilst not having to contend with match preparation has been most welcome.

Alan Sheehan first and foremost is a senior player whose ilk is great on the pitch and even better off it – a model professional. Whilst not playing regularly this year MA knows from people spoken to at Luton that the player has been training nearly every day. Such is his experience that AS will be able to slot into the right positions, read the game to defend at the correct time rather than chasing the ball which lesser versed players exhibit a tendency to do. Fans will see that AS is second to none with his distribution at L1 level. His wand of a left foot allows him to deliver passes onto a 50p piece whether over 5 or 55 yards. AS is fit and available for selection with MA not taking chances in the position until he is satisfied that Imps are comfortable.

Burton Albion: A good footballing side with a very experienced manager. They play attractive football, also have the ability to go with a 3 or 4 at the back. Murphy for Burton has been exceptional since coming down from Scotland. As an aside MA explained that he didn’t rule out the Scottish player market himself due to the capacity of L1 clubs to compete financially with all Scottish clubs bar the Old Firm and possibly Aberdeen.

Who Are The League One Managers? No.6: Nigel Clough (Burton Albion)

Insight into the MA Mentality: MA is not a massive reader of books but does have an active interest in tomes regarding leadership. He cited ‘Legacy’ by James Kerr as being pivotal to his process at Oxford. The book expounds a 15 point plan as utilised extensively by The All Blacks. MA contacted Kerr who was kind enough to respond and within a month had given a presentation to his Oxford squad.

Writer: hulloutpost

MA: "I'm quite comfortable having a difficult conversation.":https://t.co/h6wZ7rOVhc#ImpsAsOne #ProudToBeImps #BAFC

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