Michael Appleton: “The reality is this is the job and this is part and parcel of what does happen at times.”

Ahead of the Burton Albion fixture, the focus was once again on the injury situation with Michael Appleton providing an update on players, but also explaining the adaptations he makes during training to manage the situation efficiently.

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Injury Roll Call: MA quipped, did Rob Makepeace have his pen and paper ready, as at one point this week (when including the four young professionals) he had more players injured than available:

Liam Bridcutt is the one player from the ranks of the injured that might make the game. He is still sore but is potentially going to be OK.

Chris Maguire will be out for two or three weeks. It is particularly frustrating for all concerned as Chris has no career history of soft tissue injuries. In the brief time he has played, Chris has been nowhere near the levels that we will see when he is fully up and running. There has been a glimpse of what can be expected though, highlighted by his pass to Lewis Fiorini that contributed to the goal against Rotherham.

Connor McGrandles remains in pain and there needs to be more understanding of what is happening, as the scan does not show any difference to the injury he had last year whilst the pain is different.

Tom Hopper is in quite a bit of pain and is expected to be unavailable for some weeks.

Regan Poole is in considerable discomfort from his rib injury and it remains to be seen whether he can play with the assistance of pain killers and an injection.

Adapting to the Injuries: Michael Appleton explained that it was very difficult in training to do everything that you want to, simply because he doesn’t have the numbers available to work with. However what he can and is able to manage, is adapt the training routines in such a way that the players are practising drills which will make them aware, (even subconsciously) and provide them with the tools to deal with the identified strengths and weaknesses of the next opponents.

“It’s very difficult, I think all you’ve got to do is have an eye on what your opponent is about, how they go about their business, and have a look at their weaknesses and strengths”.

MA concluded by saying, “The reality is this is the job and this is part and parcel of what does happen at times. You find out a lot about yourself and about people around you, the players and everyone. This is where if you are going to have any kind of success whatsoever, you’ve got to come through these periods”.

Burton Albion: In the absence of Tom Hopper Dan N’Lundulu comes into the thinking and this is an opportunity for him. MA has noted pleasing signs to Dan’s game during recent training sessions. He seems to be adapting to the pace of the level and is starting to understand about not having too many touches. He is also developing an understanding of knowing not to come towards the ball too much and decide when to look to put in a run away and beyond the ball.

Burton as a team are set up to be very patient and hard to beat. When they get that right, in conjunction with good counterattacking, that is when their best results and performances are achieved.

MA finished up by declaring, “Don’t get lazy, don’t get almost too complacent when we’re in possession of the ball, and just make the opportunities count”.

Thank you to Graham Burrell and Lincoln City Football Club for the photograph!

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Michael Appleton: "The reality is this is the job and this is part and parcel of what does happen at times."https://t.co/elffz2NNXZ#BAFC #ImpsAsOne

— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) September 24, 2021