Michael Appleton: “The experience he can bring to some of our younger players would make the score lines slightly different.”

Ahead of the Plymouth Argyle fixture, Michael Appleton found himself in the unusual position of having only good news regarding the short and medium-term prospects of player availability.

You can discuss what Michael Appleton said yesterday HERE, as well as getting involved with our Plymouth Argyle v Lincoln City Match Thread! Every page view helps raise money for Lincoln City Football Club!

Injury Updates: Both Adam Jackson and Joe Walsh are looking good for February returns to bolster the centre-half position, with the former maybe only one or two games away. On Adam Jackson, “He’s desperately trying to get himself in the mix. He’s doing everything he can; he’s training. The one thing he’s not doing much of at the minute due to the protocols is the heading; but slowly that will be integrated into his training program”.

Additionally, Liam Bridcutt is aiming for fitness by mid-February and Teddy Bishop most certainly benefitted personally from the Rotherham game being postponed. Otherwise here are only 50/50 issues for a couple of players in respect of those that have been playing recently, so they will be monitored over the next couple of games.

Given the recent signings to factor in, MA is now very confident that the squad is in a much better place than previously this season.

Plymouth Argyle: MA fully expects Plymouth to set up in their established style (in spite of a managerial change). They have a couple of absentees due to international call ups but that is countered by the availability of Danny Meyer who is as ‘good as anything’ in the division.

MA remarked about how well the Imps had played in the two games at Home Park last season and how ‘gutting’ it was to get nothing from either fixture in spite of being worthy of doing so.

“I’ll sacrifice the performance tomorrow to get the points; there’s no doubt about that”.

Transfer Activity: MA agreed the recent move of an MK Dons player to Celtic for a fee in excess of 1M highlighted the attractiveness of L1 players to clubs in higher divisions. He partly identified the plethora of big clubs in the division and their commensurate budgets as having driven up the number and quality of players at the L1 level. Certainly, if players can be signed by Lincoln at the right age, it gives them an excellent opportunity to showcase their talents.

In relation to the several Imps signings, MA took the view that by and large, they were ready for action. The players have been integrated within training already and most of them have had at least some recent game time with the clubs they have come from. MA also pointed out that whilst he is keen to get the players ‘up to speed’ with his way of playing, it is worth noting that his style is discussed at length with the players before they sign, so they already know what they are coming into.

MA reflected on the signing of John Marquis, identifying three areas where he will benefit the team, namely – goals, vast experience, and a competitive edge at the top of the pitch.

“One of the things we’ve struggled in the last three or four games in terms of the results that haven’t gone our way – certainly hasn’t been performance; it’s been knowing how to manage a game, see a game out. If we probably had John in the team three or four weeks ago, then I’m convinced that certainly, the experience he can bring to some of our younger players would make the score lines slightly different”.

Writer: hulloutpost

Have a go at our Lincoln City versus Plymouth Argyle Quizzes, published last season (they were all correct at the time they were published).

Michael Appleton: "The experience he can bring to some of our younger players would make the score lines slightly different."https://t.co/TbW4Z6f45z#PAFC #ImpsAsOne

— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) January 22, 2022