Ahead of the Crewe game, Michael Appleton remained calm and objective in spite of the recent blip, so far as results are concerned.
You can discuss what Michael Appleton said earlier today HERE, as well as many other topics on our 100% Imps forum! We have also published a Lincoln City v Crewe Alexandra Quiz, which can be found just below the summary. Every page view helps raise money for Lincoln City Football Club!
Injuries: Jorge Grant’s scan has only just taken place but what MA can say is that Jorge is now in much better spirits and has a noticeably more positive demeanour, in light of the ankle now being weight-bearing.
Callum Morton came through the Fleetwood game with flying colours. He was flying around yesterday, smashing into people, scoring goals – so that was a positive sign”.
MA isn’t minded to give Callum a full game yet as there are lots of games and points to be played for and his selection has to get that equation exactly right. What Tuesday did show is what a threat Callum in conjunction with Tom Hopper can be.
4-4-2 as an Option?: MA outlined the formation may be on the table at times. “Changing formations, no problem at all as long as you do it at the right time against the right teams…..As long as it works for us and not against us, that’s the main thing”
MA did point out it is worth remembering what has brought success this season, which has mainly been playing with a ‘4’ and two ‘8’s’. By all means, though it can help to mix it up whether that is from the start or late on in games. It can even be done for example when ahead with half an hour to go, in the context of considering what can be done to take a game away from the opposition.
Crewe Alexandra: They have recently changed to a more direct 4-4-2 which is “very unCrewe like to a degree”. MA will be very interested to see if they stick with that as deployed in recent games, or try and match ‘it up’ with The Imps.
MA gave insight into the earlier game at Crewe, where their manager had commented that as a result of how well Lincoln played that night, it resulted in them trying that tactic for the first time; which MA took as a compliment.
Current Form: Leaving emotion aside, MA takes the view that even during the recent defeats there have been spells in the game where the side have played really well but it has simply not been sustained for long enough. Realistically a side has to play well for 75 minutes in a game and then on top of that ‘you’ then have to capitalise on the good chances that creates. City have not played either well or for long enough during the recent matches.
“It’s fine lines. I know for a fact we’ve had situations this year where we’ve probably gone through a three-game period not playing particularly well at all and ended up winning two of those games”.
MA made it clear that if ‘we’ haven’t played well he is the first to say ‘rubbish’, but equally, he is the best placed to review the situation. “It’s not as bad as people on the outside think; or certainly people outside Lincoln City might want to think. We just need to make sure we stay level headed and really go into the game tomorrow with the right attitude and attack the game right from the start”.
Writer: hulloutpost
Have a go at our Lincoln City v Crewe Alexandra Quiz below:
Michael Appleton: "It's not as bad as people on the outside think."https://t.co/bYXxQaZysT#ImpsAsOne #ProudToBeImps #CreweAlex pic.twitter.com/jGbiSKFPBe
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) March 5, 2021
