Following last night’s 2-1 defeat away at Oxford United in League One, I asked the Vital Lincoln City members what three things they learned from the match.
You can discuss what has been said in this article HERE, as well as many other topics on our 100% Imps forum! We have also published a Lincoln City v Oxford United Quiz, which can be found just below the first three things. Every page view helps raise money for Lincoln City Football Club!
Here’s what sedgleyimp said:
1. We will be in League 1 next season. Okay, we are still 4th in the League and the Play-Offs are still in our own hands. We can still mathematically make the top two. But the reality of our situation is that you need to have the right form at the right time, and that is not what we currently have. Six points out of the last nine games does not get you into a top-six position and when you start on those kind of runs they are very difficult to break. Should we be discouraged by this turn of events though? Honestly probably not. We are possibly two years ahead of where we might have realistically have expected to be at the end of March 2021. If we went up this season who really thinks it would be more than one quick season and then back down again. You only have to look at Yeovil to see how such rapid unexpected progression can backfire on a team. So come August we will go again, more experienced and aware of the requirements of this division. We will be better placed to retain a Championship place from an extra season of two where we are.
2. Matches are won and lost on small margins. Oxford’s two goals tonight came from balls in our area falling to their players. We had a couple of similar positions where it fell to their players, or half chances were blocked. In other games, it has gone the other way. Sometimes it just doesn’t fall for you.
3. Injuries to key players make a huge difference. Some will say that it is an easy excuse to make but could anyone honestly say that any club at our level could cope with the losses that we have suffered post-Christmas. The spine of the team has been ripped out by a combination of injury and illness at the most crucial time of the season. Whether you think it’s an easy get out or not, the significance of who has been missing cannot be underestimated.
Have a go at our Lincoln City v Oxford United Quiz below:
And here’s what Chesterimp said:
1. Any side can take only so many injuries to key players – ask Klopp. Add in post-covid visibly diminishing players’ stamina and any side’s results will decline.
2. Enjoy remembering how we played early in the season; celebrate that key players in that are now contracted for next season and beyond; and 3 promising January signings will have a full preseason to realise their potential next season.
3. If we do cling on and make the play-offs – part of the learning process for a squad of talented young players. Next season may be harder with the scrapping of the salary cap, but hopefully, a full SB and a normal length season will be positives.
Oxford United 2-1 Lincoln City:
Three Things We Learned:https://t.co/S7by0zgwie#OUFC #ImpsAsOne #ProudToBeImps
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) March 27, 2021
