Michael Appleton presented with an aura of calm authority ahead of the much anticipated Sunderland fixture this weekend.
Manchester United U21s EFL Trophy Game: MA took a host of positives from the match with one or two players doing their cause no harm with the Sunderland match in mind. Imps started well with the football played at times being of a very good standard. City created a good amount of chances with MA disappointed to fall behind to a quality goal. Thereafter the players did respond well. The only negative being that having started the game on top it is important to punish the opposition and be clinical. It was good to give a number of players a game which they will benefit from going forward.
Sunderland: They have a lot of playing options, enabling Sunderland to present different threats at varying stages of the game. Sunderland do draw a lot of matches which MA explained possibly occurs to the pressure and expectation on a big club. If they find themselves behind and chasing a game they do have a goal in them. Conversely, if Sunderland get ahead there is sometimes a tendency to drop deep whereby they can find themselves in a situation that leads to conceding a goal. Both sides will have great support in a full house. MA knows that Imps players are used to playing in such atmospheres so hopes and expects that they will step up to the challenge. It is important to test ‘ourselves’ against the bigger clubs to see where ‘we’ are at with probably no bigger club than this (in League One). MA hopes Imps start as they did against Manchester United U21s, seeking to put Sunderland on the back foot. Perhaps City can utilise the expectation on Sunderland to get automatic promotion to further their own cause. It has been a while since Lincoln have taken the lead in a game so realistically that could be an important factor ergo MA feels that scoring the first goal could provide a massive boost.
Who Are The League One Managers? No.21: Jack Ross (Sunderland)
Michael Bostwick: MA seemed to be quite open about the MB situation. He knows that Bossie is the type of player that will play through injury whilst in pain but the medical team are taking the sensible approach to prevent the calf strain re-occurring. MB is still some time away, having to build the calf muscle up via work in the gym rather than on the to grass due to the nature of the injury.
Mentality Within The Club: Winning mentality (that has been at the club) naturally plateaus out regardless and in any case other than a little bit of knowledge gleaned with regard to tactics and technique, as a manager ‘you’ don’t learn much about the players when winning, ending up spending more time managing the players who are out of the side. This (difficult period) is the time where MA will learn the true character of his players – those who will dig deep to be an extension of MA and provide leadership. MA makes sure he talks to people (private conversations) to ensure they come in focussed ready to work with a smile on their face. MA achieves this by simply being himself. He is always positive ensuring there is consistency as to how he acts every day. Consistency is the single most important message. MA retains an enthusiasm to coach; he loves being on the grass even during difficult periods.
Writer: hulloutpost
MA: "We have just got to make sure we apply the pressure at the right times."https://t.co/TYTKv90awk#ImpsAsOne #ProudToBeImps #SAFC
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) October 3, 2019
https://www.facebook.com/VitalLincolnCity/posts/2439500806086150
