Lincoln City travel to Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday looking to improve upon Tuesday night’s disappointing 1-0 home defeat to Bolton Wanderers.
Having enjoyed plenty of possession against Bolton, Lincoln were guilty of some indecisive decision making in the final third when opportunities presented themselves throughout the evening. It was unfortunate that indecision at the other end ultimately cost Lincoln the game. With proceedings in the balance at 0-0, The Imps conceded a sloppy goal following an error from rookie goalkeeper Josh Griffiths. It was a lesson that Lincoln will need to learn from, and despite Griffith’s mistake, the home side still managed to concede possession in the same passage of play that led to Antoni Sarcevic’s 76th-minute winner.
The arrival of TJ Eyoma should be a huge plus for Appleton, with the former Tottenham defender capable of playing across the defence. Despite occupying the right-back slot for most of last season until Regan Poole’s arrival and a defensive injury crisis, Eyoma looked arguably strongest in the centre back position. Still missing Joe Walsh through injury, the early season form of Max Melbourne has also been a positive for Lincoln, having done very little wrong on the left-hand side of Adam Jackson, he was a player that was allegedly told he could leave the club in the summer. Injuries and preseason preparations have certainly not helped Michael Appleton as he tries to find the right blend with many new arrivals to bed into his squad. If there was any criticism to be levelled at Lincoln during the week, was their lack of penetration to break down a stubborn Bolton defence, particularly having got their goal. Conor McGrandles still looks a little off the pace, and with Ted Bishop missing out against Bolton through injury, despite a highly encouraging previous week in the red and white stripes, his ability to run at teams from midfield was an option Appleton could have done with on Tuesday. In terms of positives, Anthony Scully has hit the ground running and looks to be relishing the opportunity to fill Brennan Johnson’s boots on the left-hand side. Everything good about Lincoln in midweek stemmed from his endeavours. Once he was withdrawn on 74 minutes, Lincoln’s attacking threat dwindled, and it was unfortunate that the home side conceded just a couple of minutes later as they then struggled to apply any real pressure on the visitor’s goal.
Skipper Liam Bridcutt was outstanding for the second game running, and his early-season form and, indeed, fitness is a huge bonus for the Imps. Against Bolton, the former Brighton man was the best player on the pitch, showing his class, both on the ball and off it, with his forward distribution and ability to read the game from a defensive perspective. Hakeeb Adelakun has shown that when in threatening positions on the right-hand side of the attack, he can cause problems with his direct and powerful running. Southampton academy product Dan Nlundulu also came off the bench to make his Imps debut following injury. His availability will provide some much-needed competition for Tom Hopper upfront. Wycombe have had a positive start to the new season under boss Gareth Ainsworth having suffered the disappointment of last day relegation from the Championship. Equalling their best season start to a League One season, an opening day win over Accrington Stanley was followed up with a 4-0 away win at Exeter City in the Carabao Cup. The Chairboys put newly promoted Cheltenham Town to the sword last weekend in a 3-1 home win before picking up an away point at one of the early fancied sides for promotion, Wigan Athletic. Speaking to club media, Appleton is keen for his side to bounce back from their first league defeat of the campaign and won’t be going to Wycombe to park the bus.
“We’ll go to Wycombe on Saturday to try and win the game, that’s how we always set up, but anything you get on the road this season will be good. “They’ve got a hell of a lot of options, and you can see why they were so close to staying up in the Championship. I’m sure they’ll be in and around the top six.”
The test at Adams Park will be a big one for Appleton’s men, and although he will be looking to continue last season’s superb form on the road, the division appears to be more competitive than ever. While Lincoln continue to find their feet and get a settled side for this campaign, avoiding defeat would be a positive result for the Imps.
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