MA: “We’ll concentrate on us.”

Michael Appleton clarified the position of several players and took stock of the season so far ahead of the Blackpool game on Saturday.

Player Situations: Harry Toffolo move or otherwise should become clearer over the next 24/48 hours. If HT does move ‘we’ are more than ready for that eventuality. Max Melbourne is chomping at the bit and has been awaiting his opportunity which is why MA wanted to make his signing permanent. MA and other staff have seen enough potential to justify making it a permanent signing but players can only have potential for so long. At some point, they have to play with it then being down to them to produce. Although there hasn’t been much training on the grass post-Bolton (MA quipped that unlike in his day, the sports scientists are now very keen on second-day recovery) the tactical and video clips work has been done so the preparation is in place.

Tom Pett and Ben Coker are both in similar positions. MA is very up front with all his players, keeping a regular ongoing dialogue with them. Both players are understandably wanting game time which they are unlikely to get at Lincoln so MA will not stand in their way regarding a move and something could happen before the end of the month.

Lee Frecklington is almost ready for very light training/very basic stuff with the main group, possibly progressing to greater integration as early as next week. Tyreece John-Jules has been fine and if there is no reaction to his slight injury over the next 48 hours he will hopefully be ok for the weekend.

Blackpool: That’s where MA started his management career and he has happy memories of being there with a really diverse group of players. Back then MA was always looking for his players to go on and keep scoring goals whereas now he has learned that sometimes it is necessary to see games out. Blackpool benefit from having Simon Grayson a very successful manager at this level allied to experienced players. It will be a tough match. Blackpool can go with a three or four (at the back). Armand Gnanduillet is somebody MA worked with at Oxford so he respects the big, strong awkward attributes that the player possesses. However, Imps have two experienced centre-halves who will recognise when they can win the ball or when it is better to drop off and defend the second ball. There is a lot of development going on behind the scenes at Blackpool with MA noting they have recently appointed a new head of Football/Recruitment also Chief Executive.

Will The Imps win, lose or draw against Blackpool?

Win

Lose

Draw

Taking Stock: Where ‘we’ are now to where we want to be in 12 months time is very different. However, it would be hard to argue that there hasn’t been progress regarding results and performance since the Oxford (home) game particularly the last ten games or so following the mini-break. MA didn’t like what he saw in the Oxford game, feeling that the players had downed tools. Looking at the Sunderland game when going three down MA hadn’t seen that. The players got back into the game and he felt like City had half a chance to get back into that match and Sunderland knew that. When MA came in he had challenged the players to show resilience which they have in a most pleasing manner. MA is happy with the progress during this period of transition.

On playing out from the back that is something MA has done successfully in the past and hopes to replicate. The tactic does not put the club or team at risk with the bigger picture being able to produce successful players/team to benefit them and the club in terms of results and making money. The most important thing MA can do is give the players confidence to play in that style. MA felt we had seen better decision making in that area with players recognising the right time for Josh (Vickers) to put his foot through the ball and compete for the ball on the halfway line although he didn’t like having to do that as ‘we’ aren’t very good at it. However when Imps are under the cosh for 5/10 minutes then it will be a necessary tactic. An immediate target is to improve the away results with MA largely putting the desired change dependant on getting the confidence that back to back away victories will bring.

Writer: hulloutpost

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