Michael Appleton: “We’re going to enjoy the fact we’re competing with these top teams.”

Michael Appleton opened up about the excellent start to the season, recruitment and the culture running throughout the club, ahead of the weekend match at Doncaster Rovers (managed by Darren Moore) this weekend.

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 below the three things. Every page view helps raise money for Lincoln City Football Club!

The good Start: It’s hard not to be happy at the moment. A midweek win, clean sheet, the manner of the performance during the first-hour play into that.

Looking at the league table with all the big hitters stacking up, MA feels a bit like we are gatecrashing the party; something he commented on to a number of staff and board members recently. That can change quickly so we’re not getting carried away. The start has exceeded all expectations and targets but you are judged over 46 games, not 9 or 10 so let’s see where we end up beyond New Year. It might even out, it’ll be brilliant if it doesn’t but we won’t panic if it does. The longer it continues the more it will make the big clubs nervous, we’ll just enjoy it.

It’s important the fans keep their feet on the ground. We are a team in progress – not on a fast track or a quick fix. The average age of the squad is 22.7 years with the intention to keep the nucleus of that squad for 2 to 3 years in order to sustain success. MA knows the standard at the club and is certain there is more to come whether it is this year or next.

On Recruitment: It’s difficult to get a true or real understanding of the person but that becomes a big part of what MA aims to do. He is always seeking to apply a positive change of culture, the way the game is thought about, how to approach it – ensuring professionalism from the top to the bottom of the club. MA is always looking to at least maintain and then better the group.

When signing a player if he thinks or wants to come to the club to play 5 a side or short-sided games every day MA makes it very clear to him and his agent they’ve got the wrong club. If a player wants to learn, develop, improve their game then Lincoln is definitely one of the clubs you want to come to.

MA has absolute clarity on how he wants the game to be played and the exact types of player he wants for every single position. As long as he can give Jez (George) and the recruitment team that clarity it makes their and his job a lot easier. It sounds simple; it isn’t but it all comes down to that clarity on what he wants and needs.

If for example, the recruitment team identify a list of centre forwards MA then knows they all fit his profile and it is a matter then for him to decide which one will fit into the group the best.

Culture Running Through The Club: MA is in constant dialogue with Tom (Shaw) and the other youth coaches about which players are doing well or not. In addition MA takes in footage of their games and of course several train regularly with MA. A lot of the first team practices are shared with the youth sides.

MA is careful not to get carried away with results – for example the Leeds United team recently well beaten were an exceptionally young side. There is no pressure put on the youngsters; rather they are encouraged to keep their feet on the ground, work towards their goal (invariably first-team football). There is no point trying to influence physical development, that is something that cannot be affected until players are 17 or 18 so the emphasis is placed on allowing the players to express themselves and perform with freedom.

Doncaster Rovers: Darren Moore is a well-known friend of 12 to 15 years to MA. They played together at WBA and MA had Darren on the coaching staff when he was assistant at Blackburn.

Doncaster are very dangerous scoring lots of goals, particularly at home. They like to keep possession, something which MA is comfortable with provided the players remain diligent.

Injuries are catching up with the squad without giving too much away. MA is looking to get past the next two league matches by which time it will be important to shut down a few of the players for 10 days or so due to the demands they will have gone through at that point.

Writer: hulloutpost

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

Michael Appleton: "We're going to enjoy the fact we're competing with these top teams."https://t.co/SBAheMYa4Z#DRFC #ImpsAsOne #ProudToBeImps pic.twitter.com/6UaciP7ffR

— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln1) October 30, 2020