“On whole against a team near the top, I thought we acquitted ourselves well.”

Views from German Imp following yesterday’s 1-0 defeat away at Oxford United in League One: “Appleton inherited a battalion of midfield players, issues at the centre of defence whether that is age and or injury. Add to that a lack of forwards there is not much he can do until January 2020 and Summer 2020. He has made us difficult to beat and today we were beaten by a wonder strike. Having said that, I would question some decision making of playing the ball around at the back allowing pressure back on us. On more than one occasion we were nearly caught out. On whole against a team near the top, I thought we acquitted ourselves well but without that cutting edge. At times, that battalion of midfielders appears too lightweight in my opinion. Apart from the last 10 minutes, I didn’t think Anderson did a lot in the second half either.

When Appointed was appointed I knew we would have to wait for his signings to make a difference and hopefully they will. He has my full support and we certainly won’t go down. I doubt we would be in any better position even with the previous regime in charge. Hanging your hat on one player to bang the goals in hasn’t worked neither at the start of the season or now.”

Did you go to the match yesterday? 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!

More views from the Match Thread:

Sincilbanks: “I really don’t think there’s much point in playing O’Connor, Morrell and Hesketh if we are going to give them so much space to pass the ball in our half. Witness the number of times their players had time to take the ball and turn 30 yards from our goal and the complete lack of space and time when the converse happened.

Everything came from their right full back all game because he knew he could get forward, they weren’t going to give the ball away cheaply and he could just amble forward and wait for the ball to be worked to him knowing Grant would just stand off him and not put a challenge in.

We simply have to work harder off the ball if we want to deny teams time and space.”

Stricko: “I think some people need a reality check. We’re not far off any team in this league. A bit of pace and a ruthless striker needed. But for all the doubters this day 3 years ago we got beat by Guiseley 1-0. Personally I think where we are now is a million miles from then. Unfortunately too many don’t realise what a great place we’re currently in!”

SittingbourneImp: “Allowing for the fact we’ve played more away games than home games, we seem to be winning and losing in roughly equal measures.

This tells me we’re destined to finish mid-table. It also tells me this league is the right level for us. We’re here on merit and considering how far we’ve come in such a short period of time, I still need to pinch myself about that.

It’s frustrating because we can all see with a slight improvement on the attacking front we could be challenging for one of the top spots.

In my opinion, progress has slowed down – not stopped. We shouldn’t judge the manager until the end of the season.

I for one am still enjoying the journey.”

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

"On whole against a team near the top, I thought we acquitted ourselves well."https://t.co/OsDLoJImbU#OUFC #ImpsAsOne #ProudToBeImps

— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) December 27, 2019

https://www.facebook.com/VitalLincolnCity/posts/2620181904684705

Oxford United				Lincoln City
Baptiste 36'
Archer				Vickers
Cadden				Eardley
Dickie				Bostwick
Mousinho				Bolger
Ruffels				Toffolo
Baptiste				Morrell
Gorrin				O'Connor			60'
Brannagan				Anderson
Henry			67'	Hesketh			73'
Taylor			73'	Grant
Fosu-Henry			85'	Walker
Substitutes
Moore			85'	Pett
Hall				Payne			73'
Long				Chapman
Stevens				Connolly
Sykes			67'	Melbourne
Mackie			73'	Akinde			60'

Game Statistics
7	Goal attempts	7
4	On Target	0
6	Corners	7
16	Fouls	11
2	Yellow Cards	2
0	Red Cards	0
52	%	48