Ahead of Friday night’s match away at Oxford United in League One, I asked the Vital Lincoln City members what three things they think The Imps need to do to pick up all three points.
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 three things. Every page view helps raise money for Lincoln City Football Club!
Here’s what hulloutpost said:
1. Keep calm and carry on. The style of play and system has taken us to a play-off position in spite of the recent blip. The performance against Sunderland did more than steady the ship, it breathed new belief into that system and the abilities of the players. Whatever the reason for recent difficulties there is a strong argument to say it wasn’t the players or tactics. Rather it was more likely issues of fatigue, confidence and injuries.
Sunderland showed the players can take heart in what they have been doing all season, and go into the Oxford match refreshed from a week that for the first time in a couple of months has not featured a midweek game.
2. Don’t change the midfield. For the first time since the injuries to Liam Bridcutt and Jorge Grant decimated our most influential players, the Sunderland game impressively hit on the right combination.
The return of Bridcutt confirmed what many had suspected about how important he is for providing the glue, enabling the side to function effectively. Conor McGrandles continues to go from strength to strength and is arguably the most unexpectedly pleasing success of the season.
The third piece of the jigsaw is a fired-up Tayo Edun. He has needed to be patient and wait for the chance to show what he can do in a more advanced midfield role. Tayo certainly rose to the challenge during the second half of the Gillingham game and took it to another level for the duration of his Sunderland performance. He seems to be playing with a burning determination to show Michael Appleton exactly what he can do in the position; providing both defensive cover, whilst getting forward and playing his clever little slide passes in and around the penalty area.
3. It’s cup final time. Every game should be treated as such now. The finish line is on the horizon and the players have achieved too much this season to bottle it and throw that away. Each game should be approached with full focus and without fear, regardless of where the opponents are in the table or whether the match is at home or away.
The players have shown great ability this season, at times in adversity; allied to fantastic character as seen at Sunderland when they could have wilted having gone behind on the stroke of halftime. Now is not the time to freeze or have doubts.
The sides that will prevail in the promotion and play-off chases will have the right combination of discipline, application, ability and mental toughness. It starts right now at Oxford. Up The Imps, come on – one big last push.
Have a go at our Lincoln City v Oxford United Quiz below:
Thank you to Graham Burrell and Lincoln City Football Club for the photograph!
Oxford United (a): Three Things The Imps Need To Do To Win:https://t.co/teYJPBxk5B#OUFC #ImpsAsOne #ProudToBeImps pic.twitter.com/JAotw0fIUP
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) March 22, 2021
