Lincoln City vs Charlton AthleticSaturday 8th October 2022 - 3pm Kick-OffReferee: Robert LewisIntroductionYou cant shoot the messenger here, but... We do actually have another game this Saturday!!
I know, I know - Its the last thing any of us are thinking of this coming weekend, apart from those Masochists who'll be making the trip North for what'll be another away game - Lincoln City are the hosts this time round, as the Addicks go looking for their first victory of the season. Not even a win at Colchester in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night was possible, so a first win on our travels since April appears to be a tall order at present.
The OppositionName: Lincoln City (14th) | Manager: Mark KennedyGround: Sincil BankPrevious Result: Bolton Wanderers 2-0 Lincoln CityStanding in wait of another 1-1 draw are the Imps - The side who sit one place, and one point ahead of the Addicks so if the away side can pull off the impossible and return victorious to South East London then we will march up the table - Like ourselves Lincoln started the season under new their Manager (more of that to come) with a series of draws, and whilst there have been a handful of defeats, it looks as though our opponents have learnt to achieve more than that having not drawn since the 27th August... Until now at least!!
Rewind to the summer though and Lincoln like their visitors this weekend were always going into the new season looking for a replacement Manager - Michael Appleton was relieved of his duties at the end of the season (even though he ended up returning to Blackpool), and was eventually replaced by Mark Kennedy, who last season was Assistant Coach at Birmingham City under our very own Lee Bowyer.
On the player front; Jack Diamond (signed on loan from Sunderland) is the name to watch, a forward who can play across the whole of the front line and was a replacement for Championship bound: Anthony Scully - Both names were of course linked (however truthful) with the Addicks, yet Diamond has four goals in as many appearances for his new side, albeit three coming in one game - Given our summer business has once again been highlighted as a factor in this season, it would be ironic if another failed option came back to haunt us!!
Charlton Team NewsHmmm so Chuks Aneke has returned to full training has he? - Of course that doesnt mean that he's match fit, and given his long spell out of the side, means we could well be waiting a few more weeks before we see the Attacker involved for the first team - Its natural for there to be calls for fringe players to be given an opportunity, especially when the first choice options fail to impress.
Unfortunately the nature of the defeat on Tuesday night, seems to suggest that the customary eleven that have been starting, are the best we can field, even with the lack of impressive results in League One!! - Jayden Stockley finally got on the scoresheet again last Saturday, it could well be argued that having a Striker alongside him helped, so hopefully we'll see more of the same this coming weekend - Both Conor McGrandles and Jack Payne will be hoping for minutes against their old Employers this weekend, the fans however may well disagree
Wollacott
Egbo - Inniss - O'Connell - Sessegnon
Rak-Sakyi - Fraser - Dobson - Kirk
Leaburn - Stockley
Substitutes Bench: MacGillivray - Thomas - Clare - Payne - Morgan - Blackett-Taylor - Aneke
Comments
Keep it simple and stop trying to be clever
2-0 Lincoln
I like the look of @ForeverAddickted's line up, a no nonsense 4 4 2 with big strikers (hopefully) getting on the end of some Kirk n Sakyi crosses .. the one concern is defensive cover from the midfield. I doubt however that we will get a 4 4 2 and that bone headed Garner will start with his beloved 4 3 3 .. If we play 4 4 2 we'll win .. if 4 3 3 we'll be fortunate to get a point
Last year they deservedly beat us at their place, it was embarrassing
This year they have lost some of their best players (as always) have brought in some young, promising loanees, Diamond was well worth a mention .. they play a fluid 4 3 3 and do it better than we have done so far
As ever, I live in hope of some sweet revenge
Lincoln City 0 v CAFC 2
I don't know why, because all logic points to a draw or defeat, but I think we will win this. 2-1 to the mighty Addicks. I also think Stockley will score again.
Think we will start 4-3-3 again, but probably change when we are 1-0 down.
Personally I don't think it will make much difference as the players we have are not good enough.
Shuffle the pack as often as you like Ben it will make little difference.
Either another 1 1 draw or a defeat.
You've also got to take into consideration that we're 12 games in and we're already at the chopping and changing stage re: formation and line ups. Kirk was dropped completely a few weeks ago, yet based on his assist last week and appearance from the subs bench, he's now likely to come back in. CBT and Morgan completely dropped, how and when do we see them return, Payne likely to miss the next few games based on poor performances. You get the picture, it's all looking a bit haphazard. Same with formations. 3 at the back last week for the first time this season, not working so we went two up top and many have been saying we should now try 4-4-2, yet most of what I pick up on here when we discuss tactics and formations is that 4-4-2 is dead and a no go.
Also, if they do go 4-4-2, have we been practicing that? Are we capable, or are we just reacting to another game without a win and making a change in hope?
As Blackpool said, it's largely down to talent. The talent hasn't been there to nail the preferred 4-3-3, why is it there to adapt to whatever formation we try next?
Hoping to christ that Garner plays 2 up top! It worked against Oxford. Fraser started okay but really need him to starting taking games by the scruff of the neck!
1-0 Charlton (Rak Sakyi)