Ahead of the fixture against familiar opponents Accrington Stanley, Mark Kennedy had a strong message about recruitment, the profile of players he wants, and how heavily he influences that department of the club.
You can discuss what Mark Kennedy has said ahead of this match HERE, as well as get involved with our pre-match threads: You can post your score predictions, discuss the starting XI, and predict the attendance!
We have also published a quiz about the last time the two sides met at the Wham Stadium, which can be found HERE, and there is also another 15-question quiz at the bottom of this article! Have a go at both and share your results on Twitter if you’re on there!
Ross Burbeary: MK moved assertively to assuage any uncertainty following the departure of the head of performance to Derby County. Ross was lauded for completely changing the way players now train at the club. A work ethic has been instilled into the DNA of the squad. There are no easy days, the training is aggressive, tough, and high-level. Pre-season the players were doing 70k per week from day one. At other clubs, the maximum they do in a week is 40/50k.
“We will try to continue, learn and develop the work he has done….we want to continue the great foundations he has laid here”.
Post Transfer Window: MK feels very positively about the transfer business and the Imps 100% are stronger now than at the start of January.
MK knows Luke Plange only too well from the Championship last season when the player scored a late equaliser for Derby against his Birmingham outfit. He sees Luke as not only a player for the future but equally ‘for now’. Plange is very talented, plays ‘off the shoulder’, looking to run in behind in a bright and active manner.
Ethan Erhahon is a significant signing with MK going as far to say that the young Scotsman is the start of his rebuild and transition of the team. League 1 is all about athleticism and pace, Ethan having that in abundance to add to his 6′ plus frame. MK went on to extol the importance of physicality, highlighting how for example Jose Mourinho had immediately added 2 or 3cms average height to Manchester United squad during his first transfer window. Adding to those attributes MK had this to say about Ethan.
“Technically very good, incredible tactical understanding of his role and his position in the team”. Ethan’s understanding of the game out of possession is phenomenal. Not only does he press aggressively, with the ball he can both see and pick a pass.
MK went on to explain how he intends to maximise Ethan’s attributes: previously deployed more in the 6 role, MK for-sees how he can be given a position within the side that will allow him to operate 15 yards higher up the pitch.
“He’s got a really good all-round game. Again I think we’ll be a really good platform for each other”.
Dylan Duffy is a little behind ‘the others’ fitness-wise but is another example of the player profile going forwards being athletic, fast, two-footed, and tall. MK describes DD as really talented, possessing good personality and character traits, with the Imps lucky to get him.
Recruitment Model: The Imps recruitment model has been shown to be outstanding time and again. MK wants to be heavily involved within that process, regards who comes to the club and the profile of those players.
“I’d like to think looking at it, we’ve had more of an impact on that than maybe what the club has done previously”.
Loan Players: Having too many loan players (for the squad) is not ideal but it is something that has evolved organically, not by design. Then again it is not the worst problem in the world to have. When you look about football there are a number of clubs that have the resources to and do change the game by bringing on three substitutes around the 60/70 minute mark. It is statistically proven that the oncoming players will be at a higher level of output than the starters they are replacing.
“We’re now in a position where we can finally do that”.
Addressing the Imbalance between defence and attack: With only 6 shots on target in the last 3 games, it is obvious that has to change. MK is very aware of the problem and it is something he is working very hard on. The majority of training is being directed into progressing the facet of getting into the right areas. Some of the problem has been about final execution with the Imps actually managing 20 crosses versus Cambridge.
Whilst the defensive side of the game has been super impressive, ultimately the attacking aspects must be improved upon.
“…but it’s something we have to change, something we have to fix”.
MK then expanded upon his thinking and the tweaks that had occurred since the start of the season. The side are set up to play an aggressive, attacking system – 5 defensively and five going forwards. However, the side over approximately 7 to 10 of the last games has got out of the habit of being a good press/counter-attack side and probably been 10 yards deeper than they should have been. Part of the problem is that teams stopped playing out from the back versus Lincoln, notwithstanding at L1 not many teams play out anyway. Earlier in the season it worked well to a point during the 4-3-3 phase but conversely, the side were conceding at a rate of 2 goals per game.
MK still desires to return to a more front-foot, aggressive style but allowing for the tactics and style seen from L1 opponents he will need to find a really good balance.
Accrington Stanley: All games are equally important. Stanley have a very good home record and have only lost to ‘big’ teams there. They possess big, physical, aggressive players but mix it up well between going direct or good passages of play. Set pieces and a long throw are notable facets of what they utilise in their armoury. Both sides are difficult to beat but MK is not going to Accrington looking to draw the match, he is seeking to win.
Writer: hulloutpost
MK: "We're now in a position where we can finally do that."https://t.co/vbikHbLDtC#ASFC #ImpsAsOne #WeAreImps
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) February 3, 2023
