Imps News

Michael Appleton: “Well I suppose with us sitting at the top of the league I’ve got to look at it and go, it’s a positive thing.”

|

Michael Appleton was keeping his powder dry and options open regarding both named and unknown transfer targets ahead of the Doncaster Rovers game on Saturday.

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 Doncaster Rovers Quiz, which can be found just below the summary. Every page view helps raise money for Lincoln City Football Club!

MA is very happy with Imp’s position. ‘We’ remain focussed on ourselves and are way ahead of targets but if results go our way elsewhere that’s great.

Doncaster: With Darren Moore calling it a key tie in the division, MA concurred it certainly is an important one.

Doncaster are doing ever so well, are on a good run and have a fantastic side containing an established core of 5 or 6 players. They have been doing well for about four years, so not a sudden development.

They will seek to develop a slower possession-based game with Imps looking to attack more on the front foot; aiming to get the ball forward to our wide and forward players.

It will be an expansive game – different to Northampton and Portsmouth. “It’s going to be a good game, an exciting game hopefully…..hopefully, one we can come out on top of”.

Late Goals: The statistic that Lincoln score 75% of their goals during the second half was floated and MA was asked whether that is a good thing.

MA joked, “Well I suppose with us sitting at the top of the league I’ve got to look at it and go, it’s a positive thing”.

Taking the point in more depth MA pointed out that starting games better is something he would like to see whilst highlighting some of ‘our’ bigger performances this season have started with ‘us’ being on the front foot.

It would appear to be no coincidence that The Imps do well later in games as MA pointed out the process and decision made pre-season to go with young, energetic, athletic players. The data backs that up with Lincoln up there with the best in the division for those traits.

It is important to stay in games with there only being a couple of matches this season where MA has seen The Imps concede and let it affect the players to disappointingly go onto concede one or two more (goals).

“I do believe we’ve got a group that if we go behind……going into the last fifteen minutes, I always fancy us”.

Transfers: It has been slow going through no lack of trying but whether it’s permanent or loan moves MA does expect one or two more players in by close of play on Monday. Right now he is focussed on the games coming thick and fast. We have directors of football and similar who have a list of what MA wants so they can do their job while he gets on with the matches.

On Michael Mancienne who has been training with The Imps, MA remained suitably coy. Michael is the brother in law of Jorge Grant and is a good guy. He needed to train and MA is more than happy to have people like that around. Michael Mancienne is off the pace fitness-wise but as for making him a signing; never say never.

“Let’s see where we are in two or three weeks time. If he gets up to fitness; if he gets up to a level where we think he’s capable of playing games, we’ll have a look at it”.

Free Agents: MA referenced the changing landscape for players and clubs when asked if he would be looking at free agents.

MA felt that perhaps some players or agents had misread the market in these times with clubs having to look towards the impact of salary caps and Covid impact over the next few years. However free agents is an area that MA may resource.

“It’s an opportunity not just for clubs but for players themselves”

The Current Centre Back Pairing: MA concluded the press conference discussing the form of Joe Walsh and Adam Jackson, outlining he is pleased with how they have performed.

MA drew particular importance to how aggressive they had been against Portsmouth and Northampton. If an Imps attack breaks down it is vital that opponents are not able to successfully hold up the ball via their strikers or number 10, on the counter-attack. The aggression of the centre backs during those recent games had prevented that scenario developing.

“If we’re going to win the game tomorrow that’s something we have to do well. We have to stop the counter-attack and transition because Doncaster have got a few players with good pace in forward areas”.

Writer: hulloutpost

Have a go at our Lincoln City v Doncaster Rovers Quiz below:

1 of 10

Which City player scored eight goals against Doncaster during the 1980s?

Share this article

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *