Lincoln turnaround was bound to happen

Just like you don’t become a great manager overnight, you also don’t become a bad one either. Michael Appleton took Lincoln City to new heights last season and was 90 minutes away from the Championship. Many, including yours truly, thought that they would be similarly impressive this year but, for a number of reasons, it has not quite worked out that way.

Through all the injury, COVID and transfer turmoil, Michael Appleton has remained pretty upbeat. He is the kind of manager who keeps his feet on the ground when things are going well but equally doesn’t panic when times get tough. He’s exactly the kind of character players need and his steely determination is a great asset. Lincoln’s performance against Oxford yesterday was more like the dominant side we saw for much of last season. The 4-3-3 set-up allowed them to dominate the channels and apply several spells of concerted pressure, in particular between around minute one to just past minute 90. One swallow does not a summer make, and the Imps will hope to use this result as a springboard, but anyone who really thought Lincoln were in deep trouble probably needs a bit of re-education. In Appleton we trust – as the saying goes.

Imps recruitment looks to have hit the jackpot again

Anyone who followed Lincoln last season will know they recruited really well. Appleton sides tend to be good at it and he is clearly trusted by bigger clubs to look after their young stars. The Imps brought in Morgan Whittaker to kick start their January recruitment and he produced a debut display that will offer those who witnessed it much encouragement. The 21-year-old arrived from Swansea after catching the eye with an EFL Trophy hat-trick against Plymouth and he was really impressive against Oxford on Saturday, netting the second but also showing some nice touches in a solid, all-round display.

Oxford need a plan-B

Oxford are a good side at this level, that is not in doubt. Back-to-back play-off campaigns including one final appearance, has suggested the Yellows are a match for the best sides on their day, but, and there is a but here, they can be all too easily stifled. Their display against AFC Wimbledon, a 3-0 win, was one of their best performances this season and showed what they are capable of if teams allow them the space to play. The two matches since then, however, have shown the other side of the U’s which is why they can’t quite mix it with teams like Rotherham, Wigan and Sunderland. Both Cheltenham and Lincoln stopped Oxford’s midfield from dominating the ball and dictating the play, which then led to Karl Robinson’s side looking vulnerable. They don’t really have an answer when teams stifle them in this way and it is something that KR and his staff will need to address if Oxford are to progress in line with their ambitions.

If Lincoln were more clinical…

One thing that was noticeable about Lincoln City at the weekend was how many good positions they were able to get into without always creating a clear cut chance or, indeed, taking them when they came along. It will come as no surprise to their supporters that they are underperforming their xG. The lack of a clinical striker or depth in attacking positions is no doubt a priority for the recruitment department this January. Based on their play at the weekend, if they can get this right they should have a much more fruitful second half of the campaign.

Defenders wanted

Lincoln have had more than their fair share of injury problems this season and the sight of Lewis Montsma limping off against Oxford will have set some alarm bells ringing. He was partnered at the heart of the Imps defence by Regan Poole and cover from the bench was conspicuous by its absence. Lasse Sorenson, a midfielder by trade, was the man chosen to replace the stricken Dutchman but getting more bodies in defence will be another item on the ever-growing January shopping list for Appleton’s side. Lincoln are a team that should be able to pull themselves up the table but they can’t do it if injury problems that have dogged their season continue to persist. It would be a shame not to see the best of this team on a consistent basis in 2022, let’s hope we do.

words James Richards, D3D4 Football