Best I agree Content
-
Lincoln, 14th October
Why take one manager into the Championship when you can take two?
Lincoln had a massive season, they finished 12 points clear of runners up Cardiff after a 29 match unbeaten run and were promoted back to the 2nd tier for the first time since 1961.
Four weeks later manager Michael Skubala joined Bristol City
Rather than bring in a new manager the board decided to promote both Skubala’s assistants, Tom Shaw and ex-Hammer Chris Cohen, as joint head coaches and it’s turned out rather well
They lost the first two games playing with a back 4 and switched to 3-4-3. They drew 2 and won 3 including a very satisfying 1-0 victory at Bristol City but then they've lost the last two. They even got to the 3rd round of the Carabao before coming up against Bournemouth.
Even more impressive they’ve done it with pretty much the same squad as last season, the only new arrival to get any significant playing time is Romanian RWB/CB Andrei Coubis (U Cluj £2,6m) but he suffered a knee injury on international duty so was out at the weekend and isn't 100% for this one
RW Reeco Hackett scored 12 last season and has 2 goals this season, he also missed the loss at Sheffield United for concussion protocol but should be available tomorrow. LW Ben House usually lines up on the other side, scored 9 last season, 2 so far this season
Up front is 22yo CF Freddie Draper who missed a large chunk of the end of last season with injury but has started 8 out of 9 Championship games with 2 goals. Hes actually Lincoln's longest serving player, came up from the kids and got his first team debut when he was 17 in 2021
Draper is keeping record signing CF Mikkel Ladefoged (Vasteras £4.3m) out of the starting line up, just one goal in 4 substitute appearances in the league. CF Rob Street also scored 12 goals last season but has only been given 4 starts.
Looking at the stats its not going to be pretty
They've only scored 7, joint bottom with Watford but they’ve only conceded 11, 3 of those coming at the weekend against Sheffield United. We’ve conceded 12
They have the lowest possession 36.5%, lowest pass completion 69%, joint top for long balls and bottom for short passes
Defending they’re 2nd for tackles per game, 3rd for interceptions and 4th for offsides
They’re also 2nd for fouls and are joint top with Pompey for yellow cards. Draper and CM Conor McGrandles both on 4 yellows
Hoooooooof -
Lincoln, 14th October
So sorry Alderz. I know how tough it is to lose a pet.
I look forward to your wonderful synopsis of all things football when you are up for it.
-
Lincoln, 14th October
Sorry alderz, always a bad time when pets go -
Lincoln, 14th October
One of the worst feelings that you could ever have. Condolences Alderz. -
West Ham vs QPR; Friday 9th October, 8pm
Just watched the game again and it is really ridiculous that we only really came alive in the last 20mins.
Did not register with me the importance of Kempers removal from the game - Bowen was far more influential once he had been substituted.
Pablo once again got himself involved in nearly everything but never looks like he knows what he is doing but he definitely had a positive impact.
Engels is frustrating- his distribution is pretty poor despite having numerous opportunities to put a decent ball in.
My initial thoughts still stand in that I think that Solomon can count himself really unlucky to be substituted- he was the only one who really showed up in the first half and I think he would have tipped the balance in our favor had he remained on the pitch for that final 20 mins
On the balance of play we have to be happy with a point but surely a more positive attitude earlier on in the game would have given us the three points - QPR made it difficult but this was a game we should have won
-
West Ham vs QPR; Friday 9th October, 8pm
Neither are very convincing regard control of the box from crosses and that is a weak area with our centre backs. For me Areola is a more natural and flamboyant goalkeeper, and that brings it's risks, but Mads is a solid Championship keeper, less likely to have brilliant moments but perhaps less likely to make big errors. Take your pick really. Both a 6 (7 on a good day), I would like a solid 8, which in my view Fabianski was. -
West Ham vs QPR; Friday 9th October, 8pm
To be honest don't think one is better then the other Can't see Nuno making a change at this point
Probably agree, think Mads has better distribution, but Areola a better shot stopper, but like you, I don’t think NES will make any change right now 👍🏻⚒️ -
West Ham vs QPR; Friday 9th October, 8pm
To be honest don't think one is better then the other Can't see Nuno making a change at this point -
Other Championship matches 10/11 October
Southampton 1 up V Portsmouth at HT but down to 10 men...
So quiet on here...
-
Magic Minute: home against QPR. With freestyle extra guesses.
I'm not doing that freestyle thing again. It takes ages
And I've probably got something wrong.
