More injury niggles and the return of Danny and Nicky Cowley were on the agenda, ahead of the midweek clash with an in-form Portsmouth.
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Doncaster Game: MA was disappointed not to win the game at the time and still feels that way on reflection. It was very comfortable in the first half and Imps missed some glorious opportunities to score. On the plus side, MA is pleased to record successive clean sheets.
The players are learning and fighting hard, it wasn’t the performance that was frustrating, more an issue of not finishing the job. ‘We’ have to take it and move on.
Injury Update: Four or five players are 50/50 having picked up niggles v Doncaster. Lasse Sorensen opened up his medial ligament (knee) after a hard tackle and adrenalin got him through the game. Anthony Scully was sore before he came off. Lewis Fiorini has an issue and Adam Jackson needs managing whilst Dan N’Lundulu has a hamstring tweak.
Liam Bridcutt won’t be ready. He still has a niggle that just won’t go away and will be seeing a specialist today.
Consequently, the squad are not training fully so a lot of the Portsmouth preparation will be done via video work and imparting information.
Portsmouth: They have three wins on the bounce and will be in good spirits having ground out those results. They will come to Lincoln expecting to turn ‘us’ over backed by good support which will add to the occasion. It should be a big crowd with a good game in prospect.
The Return of Danny and Nicky Cowley: MA was asked about how the first appearance of the Cowley brothers at Lincoln since they left would effect the atmosphere. He felt it would add to the occasion and went on to say,
“I don’t really buy into all that if I’m being honest. I’m not the type to get too wrapped up in that”.
MA took the opportunity to recognise the legacy that the brothers had left at the club,
“Danny and Nicky did a tremendous job for the football club. They’re always going to be held in high regard from everybody at the club”.
MA was asked to expand upon the differences between his and their tenures:
“It’s a situation that, certainly one that I’m not here to compete with any way, shape, or form. I think the job spec. is very different now. It’s a change of model. I’ve come into the football club to try and develop players, try and make money for the football club and at the same time try and have a bit of success; so it is very different. I’m not stupid, I don’t ever see myself being held in the same regard as those”, with MA explaining that he recognised the pace of success that the Cowley brothers had brought to Lincoln.
“I’m cool and relaxed about that. I’ve got to do my thing now and hopefully over a period of time we can keep having the sort of success we’ve had with the likes of Jorge Grant and Tayo Edun, and bring and help more players develop and move through the pyramid”.
MA finished by touching upon the hard work that has gone into transitioning the club since he took over. It has taken a lot of effort and due diligence behind the scenes to reduce the age of the squad whilst still having to win games during that process. Over time, developing ‘our’ own players rather than other clubs, remains the achievable target.
Writer: hulloutpost
Portsmouth (h - 23/11/21): Will The Imps Win, Lose or Draw?
Win
Lose
Draw
Have a go at our Lincoln City versus Portsmouth Quizzes, published last season (they were all correct at the time they were published):
Michael Appleton: "I don't really buy into all that if I'm being honest. I'm not the type to get too wrapped up in that."https://t.co/ToUklYCiY8#ImpsAsOne #Pompey
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) November 22, 2021
