Ahead of Thursday’s match against Oxford United in League One, we asked our members what three things they think The Imps need to do to pick up all three points.
Here’s what sedgleyimp said:
1. Energy from the kick-off. Saturday’s first half was noticeably lacking in impetus and energy. We just didn’t seem to be at it and as a consequence allowed Coventry to take a firm grip of the game. Straight after half time, we had our best part of the match as we were much faster in play and thought and were unlucky that a goal didn’t come from that pressure. I know we need to keep it tight which I assume was the plan in the first half but more energy is required from the kick-off.
2. Hunt in packs. Coventry’s winner on Saturday came about due to our attempts to play out from the back. It was clear that they knew we try this and used 2 or even 3 players to close this down. Coventry also tried the same tactic but we seemed to only have Walker running horizontally between centre backs to put the pressure on. The forward midfield players need to support him in this as clubs at our level will make errors in this way of playing.
3. Don’t give Fosu a shooting opportunity. Without suggesting that we should disregard the qualities of the other players Oxford have as they are a very good team his shooting ability was clear to see in the match at Sincil Bank. Please don’t give him a sight as he’ll punish you.
Will The Imps win, lose or draw against Oxford United?
Win
Lose
Draw
And here’s what NottyImp said:
1. Score first. The stats posted elsewhere clearly show that if Oxford score first, we are about 90% likely to lose. There is just no way around that this season because we are pretty toothless going forward.
2. Keep a clean sheet. That at least guarantees a point and, if we score first, it also guarantees the win. Making us hard to beat is at least a step in the right direction and I believe Appleton is trying to do that. If he does adopt a “build from the back” philosophy, I would be more than happy with that, initially.
3. Other than that, pray to the Gods of Football for mercy and a lucky break!
Thank you to Graham Burrell and Lincoln City Football Club for the photograph!
"More energy is required from the kick-off.":https://t.co/aNfaafMV26#OUFC #ImpsAsOne #ProudToBeImps
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) December 24, 2019
https://www.facebook.com/VitalLincolnCity/posts/2613941741975388
