Preview: Stadium of Light or Stadium of Fright?

On Saturday, the Imps face Sunderland in their Stadium of Light but will it become the Stadium of Fright and, if so, for which team? Last season, on 4th January I travelled north with my son and many, many fellow Imps who used the official coaches to get there. That was the first time since 1970 that I had used an official coach to get to a match since I moved 60-odd miles south of Lincoln the following year. There were 3,244 other Imps in the ground last season, our last away game seen ‘live’ and in our case, a first visit there, unsurprisingly! It’s just a shame that we lost 3-1. The Imps were in fact 3-0 down after just 30 minutes but Tyler Walker got us a consolation in the 66th minute. Of the team that started for City that day, only Harry Anderson and Jorge Grant remain.

Current form doesn’t look very encouraging for us as in our last eight games we have W2 D2 L4 scoring 13 yet conceding 15. Sunderland, on the other hand, have W7 D1 L0 with a whopping 18 goals scored and only 3 conceded. Statistics would therefore suggest a decent home win is again on the cards. Injuries have certainly taken their toll on us make no mistake. If Anderson doesn’t make a start, then the entire eleven which started last January’s game will be different. I was very pleased to see Liam Bridcutt make a re-appearance on Tuesday and he ought to be able to help out the defence this weekend. Tom Hopper took a hamstring injury on Tuesday and I expect him not to make the squad for a few weeks now and with Adam Jackson also carrying a knock, we could be down to the bare bones by having to play TJ Eyoma in central defence alongside Lewis Montsma. In Hopper’s place, I would try Anthony Scully up top because a) he knows where the goal is, b) he has an eye for a good lay off, and c) he would link up very well with both Morgan Rogers and Brennan Johnson with his extra pace. Quick, incisive breaks on the counter are what I feel is the best way to overcome what is definitely a very strong Sunderland side.

As for the defence and midfield, I think it’ll pretty much pick itself, but I’d like to see Alex Palmer in goal, a back four of Regan Poole (if Jackson is injured, otherwise Eyoma), Montsma, Eyoma (unless Jackson is fit) and Tayo Edun (who is tons better than Cohen Bramall in my humble opinion) then a midfield of Bridcutt, Conor McGrandles and, if fit, Anderson otherwise James Jones.

Back to the article’s title, I expect all Black Cat supporters and many Imps amongst us may well see it as the Stadium of Fright for the away side but maybe, just maybe our boys will ‘click’ again, and they’ll give the home side a bit of a fright instead! Fingers crossed eh. So in my head I fully expect the dismal run to continue but my heart says we’ll get a battling draw, 1-1 just like in the Papa John’s Trophy.

In conclusion, I am very much reminded of the 1982/83 season and how similar both seem to be in terms of how they panned/are panning out (see Norfolk Imp’s 82/83 comparison thread) but I am mindful that back in the day there were no play-offs as a back up for failing to get promoted. Whilst we may not claim a top-two spot this time around, I would be more than happy to be in the play-offs again; and if that does happen, then we will have exceeded expectations from the start of this season.

Up the Mighty Imps!!

Writer: Impalex

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 Sunderland Quiz, which can be found just below. Every page view helps raise money for Lincoln City Football Club!

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

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PREVIEW: Stadium of Light or Stadium of Fright?https://t.co/aR0mQdrYtt#SAFC #HawayTheLads #ImpsAsOne pic.twitter.com/rMnh6mnoox

— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) March 18, 2021