No mention of injured players by Michael Appleton is surely a good sign, ahead of the first leg Play-Off Semi-Final v Sunderland at The LNER Stadium on Wednesday.
You can discuss what Michael Appleton has said ahead of this match HERE, as well as many other topics on our 100% Imps forum! We have also published a Lincoln City v Sunderland Quiz, which can be found just below the summary. Every page view helps raise money for Lincoln City Football Club!
The Play-Offs: It’s been a long season but ‘we’ have been given a great opportunity via the play-offs. MA was open-minded about whoever Imps had to face on the basis that all sides have already played each other twice, and as a consequence know each other’s respective strengths and weaknesses.
“I think we’re a pretty dangerous team and we go into it really looking forward to it rather than worrying who the opposition are”.
The simplest solution is to always win both games so in the first instance the aim will naturally be to win the home fixture and then look to use that to get over the line. Regardless of the home leg outcome, the Lincoln away record is the best in the league so there is nothing to fear.
Player Attitude: MA looks forward to the reintroduction of crowds. “We’ve got a young group of players who hopefully will thrive on that”.
The two games that did have crowds earlier in the season may provide a good omen. On both occasions, The Imps put on exciting performances with lots of goals.
In particular, MA identified the personalities and profiles of Brennan Johnson and Morgan Rogers as the types of players that could excel in the circumstances. There is a lot on their shoulders and they will enjoy that. These are the sort of games they will need to demonstrate their attributes, if they want to have successful careers.
Sunderland – MA respected the importance of the McGready/Wyke combination to the Sunderland effort; it goes without saying they will need to be kept quiet. In particular, he highlighted the skill and intelligence of winger McGready, whom is adept off both feet and can come inside as well.
However, Sunderland are not just about two individuals. They have a number of good players and MA noted their propensity to score goals from range.
MA concluded his thoughts by discussing the importance of ensuring the tie is taken deep into its duration. “They’re capable of winning tight games (Sunderland under the management of Lee Johnson)……It could be a tight game; two tight games. We’ve got to make sure we’re in games in that 70th minute……That’s where I really think as a group, that the youth and athleticism hopefully will come to the front for us”.
Writer: hulloutpost
Have a go at our Lincoln City v Sunderland Quiz below:
Thank you to Graham Burrell and Lincoln City Football Club for the photograph!
Michael Appleton: "We've got a young group of players who hopefully will thrive on that."https://t.co/7JkwHvovCK#ImpsAsOne #SAFC #HawayTheLads
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) May 17, 2021
