Michael Appleton took stock of several players conditioning and the task of playing the important last ten fixtures, ahead of The Friday night game versus Oxford United.
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 Oxford United Quiz, which can be found just below the summary. Every page view helps raise money for Lincoln City Football Club!
The Salford Friendly: The game went ahead on a very lively pitch at Salford’s training facility. It reminded him of watching his teenage children play on similar pitches. The game should have ended up about 8 all but The Imps eventually lost 2-1 having been two goals behind after only three minutes.
The players that needed minutes got them. TJ Eyoma (60), Harry Anderson and James Jones (90), Anthony Scully (70) and Remy Howarth also featured. The youngsters made up the remainder of the side.
Injury and Illness: Lewis Montsma is fine. Max Sanders hasn’t trained for a while but is expected back imminently. He will be champing at the bit given a solid two weeks training. Brennan Johnson looked tired against Sunderland which isn’t surprising given the game time he has amassed. The timing of the international break for Brennan will do him the world of good.
Unfortunately, Adam Jackson tested positive for Covid on Monday and thankfully only has very mild symptoms. MA could have really done without that at the minute but TJ Eyoma is more than capable of playing centre back. “It’s the way it rolls a little bit at the minute”.
The remainder of the squad were re-tested on Tuesday and nobody else has tested positive which is testament to the effectiveness of the protocols in place at the club.
Oxford United: “They’ve got a good squad, a strong squad…..They’ve been in and around it for the last couple of seasons……They’re certainly a talented side with match-winners in the team”.
MA responded to a query about who will replace Brennan Johnson and said this of Anthony Scully, “…came on against Sunderland on Saturday….I thought he performed pretty well to be fair to him….I thought it was his best performance for a while coming off the bench, giving us a bit of energy”.
MA had noted Karl Robinson made several changes to his side for their midweek game against Northampton so is expecting to see a different side take to the field versus The Imps. He acknowledged Robinson’s comments about the difficulties of playing Tuesday-Friday whilst the Imps had the week off. MA saw the point that Robinson was making but took the view that all teams have had to do it at some point this season as it is necessary to keep the season moving and get the games completed. As it is, the number of changes Oxford were able to make midweek says everything.
The remainder of the Season: “There’s not one of the remaining ten games that’s not going to be difficult. I think you’ve seen in the results over the last six or seven weeks there isn’t a ‘gimme’ in this league”
MA recognised the impact that results at this stage of the season will have on taking the opposition out of the equation from a final league position perspective. With so few games left, defeat affects the opportunity to accrue the points required in the time left, to hit targets. Imps have missed out several times this season when presented with the opportunity to put clear water between themselves and rivals.
On the challenge that the run in presents to the players, MA remarked, “It’s that time of the season where people do make mistakes because of the pressure on the games. There’s tiredness; not just physically – mentally, the amount of games we’ve had to play. Friday night will be no different. It might come down to someone just mentally switching off, rather than anything to do with tactics”.
Writer: hulloutpost
Have a go at our Lincoln City v Oxford United Quiz below:
Michael Appleton: "They're certainly a talented side with match-winners in the team."https://t.co/tyzgci9TlW#OUFC #ImpsAsOne #ProudToBeImps
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) March 25, 2021
