Lincoln vs Luton

[Maple Hatter]

A very tough and competitive game with a draw being the right result. Didn't think we offered much of a threat up front with the Lincoln defence working hard to keep Hylton quiet. Losing Collins didn't help our cause. Lincoln impressed with some of their passing and energy. Felt though that they often resorted to the long ball game. (The Lincoln keeper has some kick on him). Perhaps they had looked at our previous games where the long ball into the box has been a problem. Fortunately we coped quite well apart from a few panic moments towards the end of each half. To get two draws out of the last two away games may not seem much in terms of points however these games are against two of our promotion rivals away from from home. The remaining fixtures in September look slightly easier on paper. Seems an age since we had a home game.

 

[PaulHaddock]

Leave it out Ken, Barbie not put out last night?! Yes I did and we matched you everywhere could have gone either way.

Awful.

 

[Kenneth E End]

That tackle from Jordan Cook was a despicable one, but not a red card. He took one for the team, but quite frankly I don't like players doing that against fellow professionals.

 

[Maple Hatter]

Didn't agree with the substitution as we needed more creativity in midfield. Lee or Shinnie would have been a better option although maybe NJ had settled for the draw. Some of our fans might not have been too displeased has Cook been red carded.

 

[Imp in Branston]

It was a definite red card, high and from behind, cynical and also might have stopped a goal scoring opportunity. Apart from that 0-0 was the correct scoreline!

 

[Kenneth E End]

9,300+ in the ground today. Where did they all come from?!

 

[Imp in Branston]

9,300+ in the ground today. Where did they all come from?!

Win games and they will come, helps when you have gone about a year without losing at home in any competition.

 

[GodsGift]

9,300+ in the ground today. Where did they all come from?!

8,300 against Carlisle and 8,000 against Morecambe as well. Obviously helped today by having a good away following but to sell out the home ends is ridiculously impressive.

 

[Limerick Mariner]

9,300+ in the ground today. Where did they all come from?!

Must be the Scunthorpe suburbs of Lincoln, because they clearly don't watch their football at Glanford Park.

Very impressive, pulling in more than Gy and Scunny put together at the moment. I'd like to think when the new Stadium opens in Peaks Parkway, just after HS2 reaches Inverness, we'll be able to match it.

 

[Judge Dredd]

Surprised at a couple of people commenting about it being a good 0-0. As a footballing spectacle I thought it was absolutely horrific, my neck is still sore, the ball spent most of the time in low orbit from Farman's howitzer of a right boot and there was very little real goalmouth action at either end. Had 0-0 written all over it from fairly early on I would say, only time I felt threatened was at set pieces and we never really threatened either.

Imagine the reception you'd get if you gave a tape of that game to a football purist and said "here's as good a 0-0 as you will see"

 

[Luke Imp]

Maybe not from that point of view, but in terms of a good blood and thunder game, with both sides crunching into challenges and ref allowing it, it wasn't too bad.

Seen worse games where we've won!

 

[Forza Imps]

Just got back. Was impressed with the way both sides played. Luton looked scary on the break, how quickly they managed to get two men over was very impressive.

Can't remember seeing a team at Sincil Bank passing the ball around the back four.

We looked up for it. The way Bostwick was nicking balls off the Luton midfield was great. Woodyard a joy to watch as ever, just never ever gives up. Eardley looked like a Football League player.

By the way, I think most Lincoln fans take umbrage at being labeled a long ball side purely because that's not exactly how we play. Sure, we do lump the ball up the field but after that we get some pretty intricate passing moves together.

 

[Davidimp]

That tackle from Jordan Cook was a despicable one, but not a red card. He took one for the team, but quite frankly I don't like players doing that against fellow professionals.

Nathan Arnold has tweeted a pic of leg not as bad as it could have been, but he aint happy with your player to say the least!

 

[Davidimp]

9,300+ in the ground today. Where did they all come from?!

Been like this since we played Oldham in the cup last December when we got 7000.
Haven't had a home crowd of less than 5000 since.
The Cowleys arrival has breathed life into the club like nothing have seen in 35 years of going.
As has been mentioned our last home defeat was 24 games ago against Barrow on September 17th 2016, that helps.
Some rival fans say it just a bandwagon...

 

[PaulHaddock]

No way is that challenge a red card. Definite yellow but he's only just past the halfway line and not the last man.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Just got back. Was impressed with the way both sides played. Luton looked scary on the break, how quickly they managed to get two men over was very impressive.

Can't remember seeing a team at Sincil Bank passing the ball around the back four.

We looked up for it. The way Bostwick was nicking balls off the Luton midfield was great. Woodyard a joy to watch as ever, just never ever gives up. Eardley looked like a Football League player.

By the way, I think most Lincoln fans take umbrage at being labeled a long ball side purely because that's not exactly how we play. Sure, we do lump the ball up the field but after that we get some pretty intricate passing moves together.

It's really incredibly direct. Your keeper is literally punting the ball up to the penalty area to start off the majority of your attacks! Wasn't much evidence of intricate passing today either.

Don't think you should take umbrage at all, just own it, it's clearly working for you.

 

[Son of Cod]

Woodyard a joy to watch as ever, just never ever gives up. Eardley looked like a Football League player.

By the way, I think most Lincoln fans take umbrage at being labeled a long ball side purely because that's not exactly how we play. Sure, we do lump the ball up the field but after that we get some pretty intricate passing moves together.

As a good a 0-0 draw as you'll see with a cracking atmosphere to match.

Deffo mates. Absolutely top notch 0-0 served up by The Cowleys, who are gripping onto that 14th spot as well as we all suspected. I heard the Woodyard passing was sublime today.

 

[BelizeHatter]

I remember going to Sincil Bank many years ago when our worst ever Manager by country miles and miles - Lennie fucking Lawrence - was coming to the end of his tenure with a certain Mick Harford his no2 or a Coach - I stayed in the same hotel as the team and gave Lawrence a mouthful after. Anyway I digress. I cant believe my eyes at the change in fortune and support Lincoln have today - I recall (probably incorrectly) there were like 3 men and a dog in the Lincoln ends then. Impressive.

However. I just watched an interview with Danny Cowley on Lincolnshire Live. Wow. Maybe I see why in one three minute showing. Its hard and probably incorrect to judge properly a person in that time frame but he was very very impressive to me. Comfortable, confident man who spoke very knowledgeably about the game and with a tactical awareness I'd expect from a Pep. Hold on to that one. I'll be watching out for his progress.

I thought Pelly looked fairly good. Clearly had more positive influence in other games but the Lincoln midfield were excellent and he was strong. They will dominate other teams and Pelly stood up and was counted and we weren't over run. I can agree maybe slight second best but not turned over like many will be - and a lot of that was Pellys hard work. He looks way better than I expected having not seen much of him before iFollow. I thought Hylton was poor but hes just coming back.

Good point at a tough place especially straight off the back of another really tough away game. Cant think of two back to back away games that could be worse or harder for us tactically and match up wise versus our style. Unbeaten and two points is great as an overview although looks poor, or not promotion form, just as three games two points.

 

[BelizeHatter]

Clear yellow but was a bit concerned tho, as it was heavier than necessary. I suspect, as Cook is supposedly a craft player not a destroyer or grafter, hes probably never had to do that before and had to be sure and was overly sure. Took one for the team, yes harder than necessary, but he did just the same as every other pro on the planet would have done.

I was screaming chop him, chop him at my PC screen as he broke. Didnt expect him to really CHOP him though.

 

[Kenneth E End]

Got to say yesterday was probably one of the best atmospheres at an away match since we returned to the FL. Lincoln could barely muster 3-4K home fans on my last visit!

On the direct style, play to your strengths! Winning football is the best football. I've lost count the number of times we've played ourselves into trouble by passing amongst our back four.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Speaking in a broader sense to yesterday, any other Hatters slightly concerned we don't really have anyone to rotate McCormack with?

As has been pointed out quite a few times, we looked a bit too open when he was forced off and I don't really see anyone in the squad who would be able to fulfil that role. I guess Rea can play there a bit but think that's a bit of step down and he's better at centre half anyway.

Given his age and previous fitness issues, a little bit concerned we are quite reliant on him already.

 

[Impish]

Awful.

PaulHadcock last night

 

[Hatter86]

Speaking in a broader sense to yesterday, any other Hatters slightly concerned we don't really have anyone to rotate McCormack with?

As has been pointed out quite a few times, we looked a bit too open when he was forced off and I don't really see anyone in the squad who would be able to fulfil that role. I guess Rea can play there a bit but think that's a bit of step down and he's better at centre half anyway.

Given his age and previous fitness issues, a little bit concerned we are quite reliant on him already.

It is a worry however I guess the problem is it would be difficult to get someone established in to sit on the bench and come on for 20 minutes when ACs legs go or play a few here and there when injured or suspended. You could maybe get a younger player in with the potential to take over from AC when he's finished, however Glen Rea could end up being that guy anyway. Our squad is bigger than NJ wanted anyway and I'm not sure adding another body is going to help him keep everyone happy, especially if it was an established player.

 

[BelizeHatter]

I was expecting Pelly to play the McCormack back up roll with our abundance of other forward minded midfield options. McCormack looks great but hes gonna miss games or not last whole games so we need to be able to rotate someone in there and Pelly seems right and played with critical acclaim there early last season

 

[Judge Dredd]

Pelly played there vs Ipswich and against Mansfield when McCormack went off (which coincided with our best spell in that match). He can do the job against the majority of teams for sure, yesterday was a tough assignment against a physical and battle-hardened midfield who pressed hard and by and large weren't concerned with getting on the ball themselves. McCormack was well-suited to that kind of battle but not many teams will be as difficult to play against as that.

 

[Kenneth E End]

Pelly played there vs Ipswich and against Mansfield when McCormack went off (which coincided with our best spell in that match). He can do the job against the majority of teams for sure, yesterday was a tough assignment against a physical and battle-hardened midfield who pressed hard and by and large weren't concerned with getting on the ball themselves. McCormack was well-suited to that kind of battle but not many teams will be as difficult to play against as that.

They were difficult to play against yes, but I think you're giving Lincoln a bit of a disservice on this thread.

 

[Judge Dredd]

Not at all. They were a very effective team and there's no reason to look down on them for playing to their strengths. But equally there's no need to dress it up, they are what they are and on yesterday's evidence that is very much in the Pulis/Westley etc "effective but extremely ugly" mould. Woodyard and Bostwick were excellent enforcers in the midfield but that's literally all they were there to do, every notable attack came from Farman launching it down the pitch bypassing them entirely. That's not a judgement as such, it's a simple observation.

 

[Maple Hatter]

Isn't that what football is all about. If Lincoln had tried to match our style of play it would have almost certainly led to defeat. A managers job is to assess the opposition, look at the strengths and weaknesses and adapt accordingly unless there is a large gulf between the two clubs in which case you can play your natural game. Lincoln like Mansfield and Barnet didn't allow us to play our quick passing game giving us very little time on the ball and tried to expose our lack of pace in defence. The fact these are away games makes it even more difficult. Credit to Lincoln. It weren't pretty but it was damn effective.

 

[Davidimp]

The high pressing style we use is apparently called 'moneyball'
I agree we use Farman big boots up field but also use the wings a lot too.
As you say people want to see a winning side and they have a for bit now hence our average crowds going from 2596 from the end of the 2015/16 season to now 8579! It's crazy!

 

[Judge Dredd]

Isn't that what football is all about. If Lincoln had tried to match our style of play it would have almost certainly led to defeat. ... Credit to Lincoln. It weren't pretty but it was damn effective.

They were a very effective team and there's no reason to look down on them for playing to their strengths.