Michael Appleton was philosophical about the Ipswich Town defeat and highlighted some key areas requiring attention for Tuesday night’s opponents, in the form of Portsmouth.
Ipswich: Imps restricted Ipswich throughout the game and missed about five glaring opportunities themselves during the first half whereby City had a two v two or even three on two situation. Normally it would be expected to have at least two clear chances to arise from such positions but Imps didn’t create a single one. That is down to a heavy touch, misplaced pass or the wrong option i.e. taking a shot instead of passing. The players aren’t daft and they know they missed the opportunities which was the message at half time. Overall though the players were a 6/10 which isn’t enough to win against a team like Ipswich but the fact ‘we’ were in it with ten minutes to go with Ipswich being restricted to so few opportunities shows just what an honest group of players City have. It is a young(er) group of players now who will be a little inconsistent mentally and MA ‘gets’ that.
Portsmouth: When Imps played at Portsmouth earlier this season ‘they’ were going through an indifferent period. City missed a number of opportunities to take the lead before Portsmouth scored against the run of play. At that time Portsmouth were probably lacking confidence but they are a different proposition now. They are in good form both in the league and cups so they will come to Lincoln full of confidence and expecting to win. However, Imps have done well at home to counter that. Portsmouth have strength and quality regarding their personnel, particularly forwards who most managers would want to take for their own team given the option. Portsmouth are a good side generally but do pose a real threat from set-pieces with MA name-checking Burgess and Raggett. It is a big part of their armoury. Imps need to be resolute and first and foremost not give away silly free-kicks. Imps were guilty of too many cheap free-kicks at Ipswich and if that is repeated v Portsmouth it will invite severe pressure. That must be nullified.
Who Are The League One Managers? No.16: Kenny Jackett (Portsmouth)
Will The Imps win, lose or draw against Portsmouth?
Win
Lose
Draw
Transfer Window: MA preferred the old ‘open’ system whereby budget permitting a player could be signed at any juncture. He accepts there is a danger of panic buys by some clubs during the short January window (especially L1/L2 clubs who have small squads and don’t want to get caught short) which shouldn’t happen really as a club should do due diligence. That said the reality is that a couple of great opportunities to sign previously unavailable players invariably crop up in the last 48 hours of a window. Imps are considering 2/3 positions who Imps are in dialogue with clubs about but MA won’t do anything that puts Imps at risk (financially). In overview MA does not expect imminent transfers in but always remains hopeful; it will be a long week.
Regarding the loan players, MA has asked parent clubs to reciprocate the respect given to their player’s management whilst at City when it comes to informing Imps as to their remaining at the club or otherwise.
Writer: hulloutpost
https://www.facebook.com/bbclincolnshiresport/videos/2506645256131517/
MA: "We have to make sure that we nullify that."https://t.co/F4aOSTuZDl#ImpsAsOne #ProudToBeImps #Pompey
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) January 27, 2020
https://www.facebook.com/VitalLincolnCity/posts/2685273491508879
