Port Vale (a): Three Things The Imps Need To Do To Win

Ahead of tomorrow’s match away at Port Vale 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 get involved with our pre-match threads: You can post your score predictions, discuss the starting XI, and predict the attendance!

Here’s what sedgleyimp said:

1. Don’t be tempted to change the system. Tactics that win you games take time to hone and those we have developed over the last few games are now starting to reap the benefits. Now some might look at a game at Port Vale and consider it to be a more straightforward game that those we have had for the rest of this month. There is a danger right there of underestimating our opponents, who have shown themselves to be more than capable of holding their own in this league. There is a thread on here suggesting we consider reverting to a four at the back as that might give us more attacking options. It doesn’t. It will disrupt the patterns of play we have developed over the last few games, patterns our players are improving game on game. Stick to what we have developed so well over the last few games as it works.

2. Let our wing-backs play higher. I initially thought that in TJ Eyoma and Sean Roughan we had very good defenders, but players who weren’t quite in tune with the requirements of playing as wing-backs. I was wrong. Both can play in wing-back roles. My recollection of Vale Park is that it is quite a wide pitch and if we use that width by allowing both of them to play a bit more advanced we will create chances that our forward players can get on the end of.

3. Keep the concentration up. Port Vale have only picked up 1 point from their last two home games, but on both occasions, they managed to recover from being 2-0 down to get it back on level terms. Should we take a comfortable lead we will still need to be on our game for the whole 90 minutes. Our energy and fitness levels should ensure we keep going to the final whistle, but again we cannot afford to switch off at any time. Vale do seem to score a few but concede a few. They will be dangerous if given a sniff.

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

Port Vale (a): Three Things The Imps Need To Do To Win:https://t.co/5DZ24FcAOU#PVFC #ImpsAsOne #WeArEImps

— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) October 28, 2022