In light of the news that Michael Appleton has tested positive for Covid, it was no surprise that the pre-Wimbledon game press conference was dominated by the subject of the Coronavirus.
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 AFC Wimbledon Quiz, which can be found just below the summary. Every page view helps raise money for Lincoln City Football Club!
Coronavirus: MA started to feel unwell on Monday and tested positive on Wednesday. He hopes to be back at the club on either Thursday or Friday of next week. MA is still feeling a bit rough and the symptoms are changing as the disease progresses. Thankfully his wife and baby son are symptom-free. ” Fingers crossed hopefully I’m on the mend and can get back to what I do best”.
Team Affairs: The same consistent, even persistent message has been repeated to the players so nothing changes in spite of the illness. The players that came in for the Shrewsbury EFL game demonstrated the ability of the squad to adapt seamlessly. ” I just don’t want to use it too much as an excuse”.
MA has remained in contact over the phone throughout the week and has absolute confidence in the very experienced David Kerslake and the other staff. ” That’s the reason why you have good staff”, also “I’ve got fantastic staff. I’ve got great belief in them”, before adding that a lot of the staff are young so this is the ideal opportunity to step up.
Match Day: MA will be sending a personal message of his expectations to the players, ahead of the game. He will be watching the match and utilising the telephone to stay in contact with people in the stand throughout the match. His message will be conveyed to the players at half time.
Overall Coronavirus Picture: Whilst no expert, from what MA has read and understands, he doesn’t believe having a circuit break will impact on the problem.
There will be a full round of testing at EFL clubs next week and that is to be welcomed in getting a handle on the issue.
Whilst recognising it was largely random whether the virus was contracted or not, MA took the opportunity to highlight the work that has gone into the protocols and their application in order to minimise the risk to everyone. “To get to the 20th (league) game before it becomes a bit of a disruption for us; everyone can take a lot of credit. There’s a lot of professionalism that’s gone in place from everyone at the football club”.
Wimbledon: Due to the illness MA has at least had plenty of time to watch footage of Wimbledon games throughout the past week. It will be a tough game. On the one hand, they have lost four of their last five games and he is looking for Imps to press on their weaknesses. However, he has duly noted that the Wimbledon performances have still been good during their poor run of form and they have been in the games. It is telling that the Oxford goalkeeper got MOM in their last fixture.
Liam Bridcutt has been training for the past 4 or 5 days and has a great chance of being involved during the match. Connor McGrandles probably won’t be back until late January.
Finally, on player recruitment, MA was bullish that he may have good news about a player around Monday or Tuesday of next week.
Writer: hulloutpost
Have a go at our Lincoln City v AFC Wimbledon Quiz below:
Michael Appleton: "I've got fantastic staff. I've got great belief in them."https://t.co/zcnsbopJDb#AFCW #ImpsAsOne #ProudToBeImps pic.twitter.com/wkDJFjEUGM
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln1) January 1, 2021
