Ahead of the crunch Peterborough United clash, Michael Appleton took time out to reflect on some topical off-field items of interest.
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 Peterborough United Quiz, which can be found just below the summary. Every page view helps raise money for Lincoln City Football Club!
Weekend Media Blackout: MA is hopeful that the stance being taken with regard to not using Twitter etc. will make a difference. It’s great to see people involved and it may be enough to get people to take notice.
He doesn’t personally ‘do’ Twitter as he sees it as counterproductive – why put himself in a position to provide a platform to be personally abused. It’s a shame as social media is a tool that ought to be a good thing if used properly in a positive manner.
MA does not implement an official club policy for the adult players at the club and trusts them to be sensible. He is mindful of it and the effects that unacceptable racist and abusive behaviour can have. He can relate to it in his own small way as he remembers checking his player ratings as a youngster and being upset if he was marked down. Therefore MA keeps an eye out, as he can imagine that some players could be disrupted, even subconsciously by the unjustified criticism or wholly unacceptable abuse.
Further Recent Financial Investment: “The season clearly has put a big hole in the football club, into the financial side of it and probably more importantly put a big hole in Clive’s pocket (absence of fan’s at games). I think Clive has earned a lot of credit for being able to keep the club in a pretty strong, stable place”.
MA reflected that not many chairmen would admit to cutting the budget by 40%. nor to having a lower half of the league budget either. That humility and honesty are some of the reasons why MA enjoys working with Clive. “The transparency around the budget is really important and that’s what I like about the club”. The approach helps greatly with setting expectations exactly where they should be for fans, players, the board and management alike at the start of a season, and ensures that the future of the club is not put at risk.
MA is never one for complaining about budgets as he takes the view that everyone is on the same page and doing their individual best to provide what they can. He remained realistic about the extent of the challenge based upon the size of the other clubs competing at the level Lincoln are/aiming for and recognised to remain able to do so would require even more investment in the future. The truth is, that Lincoln have overachieved this season.
For that reason, MA was particularly pleased by the recently announced cash injection from Jay Wright. “I’m delighted that Jay’s shown that trust as well, in myself, the club, in Clive, the rest of the board”. MA is hopeful that further needed investment will continue going forward.
Peterborough: Brennan Johnson and Joe Walsh are not available but the stage of their injuries should see them returning either midweek or for the Wimbledon game. Adam Jackson’s injury is more problematic as it is not responding or settling down with treatment. He will require a further scan to try and establish what the problem is.
On the subject of the mindset that MA is taking into the game, MA had this to say on the faint chance of automatic promotion. “Where there’s a small, small chance, and there is a very small chance, then we have to give it our best shot. The reality is we’re playing a top, top side so I don’t want to go there and get well beaten (on the prospect of rotating players)”.
MA was philosophical about the final outcome as he expected Peterborough to take care of business in their last game versus Doncaster regardless of the results in relation to the Lincoln’s remaining fixtures. He did however wish to ensure that The Posh earned their promotion. “All I do want to do if possible, and I say if possible, is try and win the next two games and really make sure Peterborough work their socks off to get that top two spot”.
MA revealed a positive approach will be maintained. In the past, going for wins has sometimes cost his teams but over a full career, he likes to think that such an approach will be rewarded. For that reason, if the game is being drawn in the latter stages, he will concentrate on trying to take the three points rather than just the one needed for playoffs.
Writer: hulloutpost
Have a go at our Lincoln City v Peterborough United Quiz below:
Michael Appleton: "The reality is we're playing a top, top side so I don't want to go there and get well beaten."https://t.co/TdKQ4JXJmi#PUFC #ImpsAsOne #PETLIN
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) April 30, 2021
