Before the midweek away fixture versus Crewe, Michael Appleton provided some thoughts about loan players in January and remained calm about the recent poor results.
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Loan Players: In most deals, both the parent and the loaning club have ‘break’ clauses available to them.
“We’ve got a very, very clear plan what we want and how we want to do it for January, but obviously at this moment in time it’s not one we’re going to make too much public”.
MA is therefore mindful that Josh Griffiths can be recalled, with it possibly happening at very short notice. He has allowed for that outcome and consequently been proactive, not reactive, ensuring the Imps can move quickly to deal with that issue should it arise. Whether Sam Long remains at the club or goes back out on loan, is to some extent tied in with what happens to Josh. Notwithstanding that Sam has proved himself more than capable of being a reliable number 2, demonstrating good temperament allied to notable distribution for a ‘keeper of his age. Sam will continue to develop physically in the years ahead.
Remy Longdon is somebody who the club are actively seeking to find game time, for both his benefit and that of the club. Training has been difficult for Remy in recent weeks, whereby he is finding it necessary to take more touches. If he can be playing two or three games a week somewhere it will be of great benefit.
Crewe Alexandra: “You know what you get with Crewe. They’re good on the eye, they’re a really good footballing team. I think tomorrow night will be a really good game of football; no doubt about that”.
The Railwaymen have consistently produced numerous players over the years who have gone on to bigger and better things by playing their brand of football, so they will not be changing their model or philosophy.
Addressing the Recent Poor Results: MA referenced the Crewe approach and how they stick with the model to ensure the long-term progression of their club. The Imps are aiming to replicate that process with a similar strategy of their own, so it is important to stay strong. It would be wrong to stray away from that the moment things get difficult.
MA is always open to advice and whilst he doesn’t bring in outside ‘help’ on a semi-permanent basis he does consult professional people whose judgement he trusts and respects. For example, he will ask friends or scouts to watch a match with a view to providing feedback. It’s never a bad idea to get a fresh set of eyes or opinion.
However, it’s usually not simply a case of changing things for the sake of it, like a formation tweak. A big part of the process comes down to the available personnel.
“Unfortunately at this moment in time we haven’t got enough players at that top end of the pitch, so we have to try and make it work best as we possibly can”.
MA emphasised the importance of remaining competitive in matches. He made the point that other than versus Portsmouth and a thirty-minute spell against Oxford that had largely been the case. Nobody has blown the Imps away this year other than the aforementioned examples. If anything the Imps have often been the side finishing games stronger. The undeniable problem is that the side have struggled to score goals.
Writer: hulloutpost
Crewe Alexandra (a - 07/12/21): Will The Imps Win, Lose or Draw?
Win
Lose
Draw
Have a go at our Lincoln City versus Crewe Alexandra Quizzes, published last season (they were all correct at the time they were published):
Michael Appleton: "We have to try and make it work best as we possibly can."https://t.co/x5CdkGkJPR#CreweAlex #ImpsAsOne
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) December 6, 2021
