Ahead of tonight’s match at home against Portsmouth in League One, we asked our members what three things they think The Imps need to do to pick up all three points.
Tonight’s Match Thread: Lincoln City v Portsmouth
Here’s what Scotimp said:
1. Find some way to combat Portsmouth’s aerial advantage.
According to their website, they have some very tall players at their disposal: Christian Burgess (6’4″), Sean Raggett (6’4″), Oliver Hawkins (6’3″), Paul Downing (6’2″), Ross McCrorie (6’2″), Reeco Hackett-Fairchild (6’2″), John Marquis (6’1″), Jack Whatmough (6′), Brett Pitman (6′) and Lee Brown (6′) have all been match squad regulars. City must be wary of conceding unnecessary corners and free-kicks in and around the penalty area – Portsmouth are sure to have noticed our lack of height.
2. Take advantage of a mediocre away record by scoring first.
Play the team in front of us, not the famous name. Portsmouth don’t travel well, with just 3 wins all season (Doncaster, Rochdale and Bolton). It is a Tuesday night in January at the end of a long trek (although they may have stayed here overnight) and may not be in a great frame of mind accordingly. Lincoln have a great home record and they may not fancy us. It is vital to start well and get an early goal: we all know the stats when we score first, and – like us – Portsmouth do not respond well to going behind. Every time they have conceded the first goal away from home this season, they have lost.
3. Take advantage of a double dose of Cup Fever.
Portsmouth have drawn Arsenal at home in the FA Cup fifth round, and have not reached the last eight for ten years. They are also through to the semi-finals of the Leasing.com Trophy and are just ninety minutes from Wembley for the second successive season: only League Two Exeter at Fratton Park stand in their way. Regardless of what players and managers say, they will be unable to remove those things from their minds. Again, start with intensity: a standard Lincoln home performance should be enough to win this one.
Will The Imps win, lose or draw against Portsmouth?
Win
Lose
Draw
Who Are The League One Managers? No.16: Kenny Jackett (Portsmouth)
"Play the team in front of us, not the famous name.":https://t.co/IN45qZJvLL#ImpsAsOne #ProudToBeImps #Pompey
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) January 28, 2020
https://www.facebook.com/VitalLincolnCity/posts/2686403644729197
