Three Things The Imps Need To Do To Beat Bowers & Pitsea

Ahead of Saturday’s match at home against Bowers & Pitsea in the First Round of The FA Cup, I asked the Vital Lincoln City members what three things they think The Imps need to do to go through to the Second Round.

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Here’s what NottyImp said:

1. Don’t underestimate B&P. This is their “cup final” and possibly the biggest game of the club’s history. It is a shame it is not on TV. They will up their game and will be hyped. We know exactly what this is like because, not so long ago, we did exactly the same in our amazing FA-cup run to the quarter-finals.

2. Be patient and control the game. B&P will defend like their lives depend on it. It may take us a while to break them down and we need to use our superior technical ability to control the game and wear them down over time. If it’s 0-0 at half-time, that’s absolutely fine.

3. Use our pace. We have some pretty quick players in our squad. Especially late on in the game when B&P are likely to tire with lower fitness levels, bringing pace onto the pitch could tip the game in our favour.

And here’s what sedgleyimp said:

1. Be professional and have the right attitude. There is realistically only one way we lose this game. That is if the Lincoln players come into the match with an attitude of we only have to turn up to win this one. They have to be respected for getting this far in the competition and will be looking forward to this match which they come into with absolutely nothing to lose. Come into the match with the same attitude Arsenal had against us in the quarter-final four years ago. Respect the opposition but know that you are better than they are. Take nothing for granted.

2. Expect a physical game. I may be doing Bowers and Pitsea a disservice as I really know nothing about their team nor usual tactics but if they play with a false 9 and tiki-taka football I will be astonished. I expect them to play very direct and quite physically. They will look to put themselves about and the occasional flailing boot and arm may come into play. They will look to stop us from playing by whatever means they can. So be ready for a physical game.

3. Be patient. This is a point not just for the team but also for the supporters. Thinking back to the Shrewsbury game when we were trying to force a late winner, on several occasions the wrong decision was made which didn’t work. Our normal tactics will work on Saturday if we keep to them. So don’t expect to be 2-0 up in the first ten minutes (though if it did happen that would be nice) and keep to the plan knowing that it will work at some point on Saturday. Supporters also need to not start moaning and groaning if it stays goalless for a while as this will affect the player’s performance and lead to those wrong decisions.

Three Things The Imps Need To Do To Beat Bowers & Pitsea:https://t.co/Lknda2emBK#ImpsAsOne #UpTheBowers #FACup

— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) November 4, 2021