“O’Connor has massively strengthened the defence by playing just in front of the back four.”

Following Tuesday night’s 1-0 defeat away at Portsmouth in Sky Bet League One, we asked our members what three things they learned from the match.

Here’s what berksimps said:

1. We have to score first as for the moment there is no cohesive plan by which we can break teams down if/when they are ahead. Long slow crosses are fairly useless when on average our forward and midfield players appear small and lightweight when up against most centre backs.

2. Our forwards need to gamble, and particularly make runs to the near post in front of the opposition keeper. When the ball is at his feet, John Akinde has to realise there is not a wall around the penalty box, he is allowed in it and is allowed to shoot.

3. O’Connor has massively strengthened the defence by playing just in front of the back four. Andrade takes at least two opposition players out of the game when he has the ball, therefore, there must be more space for others to exploit. He could possibly be more effective if he swapped wings occasionally to help disrupt organised defences.

Did you go to the match on Tuesday night? Don’t forget to Rate The Players, Vote For Your Man of The Match, Rate The Ref and share your views on our Match Thread!

Here’s what NottyImp said:

1. We have a problem up front. We look disjointed and there doesn’t seem to be a plan. For years, we’ve been crying out for a player like Tyler walker but we show no signs of knowing how to use him.

2. We are physically a lightweight team. In that sense, we miss Bostwick. There are not many beasts and monsters in this team and sometimes that shows.

3. Technically, we are competent for L1. If we can meld that to a better attacking plan and a bit more physicality we should do ok in this division.

And here’s what Chimpimp said:

1. Physical strength and size matter. We don’t have enough of it. A good side will have a mix of both. Only Shackell and Akinde of the outfield players on Tuesday are much above 6ft tall. If the ball goes in the air we are immediately at a disadvantage.
It’s where the Portsmouth goal came.

We could plausibly put out a front six of Pett (5’8”), Morrell (5’6”), Grant (5’8”), Andrade (5’8”), Payne (5’4”) Walker (5’10”) with Jake Hesketh (5’6”) in reserve.

2. We decide not to build from the back but for the goalkeeper to kick long, relying on Akinde to win some physical challenges. It took the pressure off our defence and resulted in some good chances, which we did not take.

3. Jack Payne is not a right-sided midfielder. You could not fault his effort but if you are particularly small and lack significant pace the right-wing is not going to be your best position. Harry Anderson has both physical presence and pace and would be a better bet there.

Thank you to Graham Burrell and Lincoln City Football Club for the photograph!

"O'Connor has massively strengthened the defence by playing just in front of the back four."https://t.co/OKdNcNwTPS #Pompey #ImpsAsOne #ProudToBeImps

— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) October 24, 2019