Michael Appleton: “I think the next few games at home will probably answer those questions.”

The Imps face a break from league action this weekend when they entertain Hartlepool in the FA Cup. Before the game, Michael Appleton touched upon the importance of the tie before looking ahead to the January transfer window.

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FA Cup: The tie versus Hartlepool is arguably the biggest fixture of the season for both the club and the players. The rewards (financial) of a potential third round tie away at a Premier League side and the opportunity (both sets of players will be very aware) to play against the best in the country are very apparent.

MA has been working with the players on aspects of the Hartlepool game. It’s a little trickier assessing how they will set up and what their precise starting 11 will be due to the recent manager change.

“I suppose the one thing is we do know clearly, the personnel that are going to be playing, in terms of whether it’s the same eleven we think it’s going to be or eleven of fourteen players, so we know their strengths and attributes”.

There will be no players returning from injury albeit Adam Jackson is building towards playing in midweek games in addition to Saturdays. Liam Bridcutt could potentially be involved from Tuesday onwards.

Home Form: MA responded to a query whether player confidence is low in light of recent poor home results.

“Time will tell with that more than anything. Clearly, the home form isn’t as good as the away form. The away form is difficult to beat anyway, I know we’re up there with one of the best in the country over the last twelve months; if not the best. I think the next few games at home will probably answer those questions”

Starting with Hartlepool though, a win in that fixture would undoubtedly bring a big confidence boost.

Clive Nates is in Town: MA welcomed being able to have ‘that’ human contact with Clive. Obviously, most interaction thus far has been via phone calls and Zoom links which isn’t the same, so it is good to be able to spend some time face to face with Clive.

January Transfer Window: MA joked that he has been lead to believe January transfer plans are going ok. He outlined that conversations have been ongoing with long-term targets and players that have been highlighted more recently, alike.

“The reality is, with the greatest respect to the players that are in the building, we want to bring in two or three players that will affect the eleven; not the eighteen…..if there’s ever a time it’s been that important, I suppose, where we are at the minute and the struggles we’ve had with injuries and coping with the squad, January’s probably going to be as big a window as we’ve had for quite a while”.

Writer: hulloutpost

Michael Appleton: "I think the next few games at home will probably answer those questions."https://t.co/0hHXKUINQC#ImpsAsOne #Pools #FACup

— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) December 3, 2021