Lincoln vs Luton

[Luke Imp]

We're just about a year unbeaten at home now and in that time we've won 19 out of 24, but I think we'll lose that tomorrow.

Luton have sold about 1,300 tickets (think I read 1,268) and as of a few minutes ago, there were only 15 tickets left in the home end so should be looking at about 9,300-ish attendance.

Don't think we have any new injury problems and those who didn't play at Mansfield will come back in.

 

[Judge Dredd]

Looking forward to this one, should be a good atmosphere.

Where's everyone drinking beforehand? Sounds like the police are going to be ruling with an iron fist in the city centre with a dispersal order issued so I'm assuming Luton fans will be pushed towards specific pubs?

 

[Luke Imp]

There have never been dedicated away pubs per se, just ones that you're advised to avoid but I don't venture into town on match days anyway and just head to the Centre Spot at the ground if I'm there early enough.

 

[Maple Hatter]

Think this will be a tough one. We know how well Lincoln performed last season in big games so I expect more of the same again. We need to get on the front foot from the off and quieten their crowd. I always fancy our chances in open attacking games and feel we are capable of outscoring any team in this league. Don't think the game will be as open as I hope though and therefore can see us getting a draw which won't be a bad result. Good to see that the game will almost be a sell out and I'm sure it will be a good advert for league 2.

 

[Imp in Branston]

I think the first goal tomorrow will be crucial. Would be good to keep our long unbeaten home record intact but it's going to be tough that's for sure.

Will we see Akinola play some part tomorrow, this week, next month or January onwards, I haven't a clue!

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Making one of my all to infrequent away trips for this so quite looking forward to it. Should hopefully be a decent atmosphere if Lincoln are expecting 9k plus.

Don't really know what to expect from us, we clearly have a very good side, but need to ensure that we add some consistency, we have had some real up and down performances already this season, hopefully that will come as the new players bed in and with Jones in his second true of trying to get us to play "his way" it should hopefully come. Under Jones in general we have been more than capable of putting in some great performances but some pretty poor ones also and it was an issue all year with us pretty much incapable of stringing wins together.

Not sure if this is accurate (happy to be corrected), but as I understand it Lincoln are a pretty direct and physical sort of side, who play with proper wingers and get balls in the box for Rhead/Green et al which usually causes us a few problems as I dont necessarily think we are set up to deal with a more physical/wide type game. I know ive mentioned it before and got a bit of a ticking off when he had a decent game subsequently but Sheehan at centre half in particular struggles with that sort of game I feel, which is why I think we went in ultimately unsuccessfully for Bradley. If we can deal with that sort of threat effectively tomorrow, then I think we have it in us to get a decent result and end that great home record, but will no doubt be hard one fought game between what I think are 2 decent looking sides on paper. Looking forward to it.

 

[Hatter86]

There have never been dedicated away pubs per se, just ones that you're advised to avoid but I don't venture into town on match days anyway and just head to the Centre Spot at the ground if I'm there early enough.

I went the year after all that nonsense in The Ritz when it was an early kick off and it was impossible to get a beer. Turned away by police or bouncers at every door. Only one with no one on the door was The Treaty of Commerce and the chaps in there were less than hospitable. Ended up drinking in the arse of no where, rained all day and 0-0 draw. Great away day.

I'll be happy with a draw in this one. Win at home, draw away. That gets you promoted. We were a very good away side last year due to the pace in our side with Vassel and Marriott which isn't there anyway. Going for 1-1.

 

[Impish]

Head says draw but leaning towards a win as these are the sort of games we perform in. This will give us a good indication to where we're at this season, still think we can challenge for top 3 and a win here will turn a few more heads.

Look out for the intriguing battle in the middle between Woodyard and Berry should he start. Woodyard's exceptional positional sense and discipline will be tested by Berry's renowned goal threat from that area of the pitch.

 

[gijsbert_bos]

Arguably one of our hardest games of the whole season so How we do will be a good indicator of whether we can compete at the top. I'd like to see Anderson in for JMD. Be good to get Ginnelly on the bench if he's fit. He looked very sharp in pre season.

Also be interesting to see if there's any word on Akinola.

 

[Kenneth E End]

I think the last two away performances will have focused the mind somewhat on today's game, which should be a good one. I've got my ticket!

We came back from the dead last week; we got away with it, potentially papering over the cracks. Don't think there will be too many changes, although I'd like to see us go 3 at the back; I don't think the diamond would work against direct and physical teams a la Mansfield last week:

Possible team:
GK Marek Stech
RCB Scott Cuthbert
CB Glen Rea
LCB Alan Sheehan
RW Jack Stacey
LW Dan Potts
CM Alan McCormack
CM Luke Berry
CM Andrew Shinnie
CF James Collins
CF Danny Hylton
Subs:
James Shea, Johnny Mullins, Jack Senior, Pelly Ruddock, Olly Lee, Harry Cornick, Elliot Lee

 

[Kenneth E End]

Head says draw but leaning towards a win as these are the sort of games we perform in. This will give us a good indication to where we're at this season, still think we can challenge for top 3 and a win here will turn a few more heads.

Look out for the intriguing battle in the middle between Woodyard and Berry should he start. Woodyard's exceptional positional sense and discipline will be tested by Berry's renowned goal threat from that area of the pitch.

Do you really think you'll win today.

It will be a close game undoubtedly, but no Lincoln fan can be genuinely confident of it.

 

[Davidimp]

We're not giving you guys a guard of honour as well as Mansfield! Mr Evans has already said they're winning the league so you guys can't too lol!!!
Big and Physical!!!!
We really should add that to the club's name!

 

[gijsbert_bos]

Get it put under the badge like some Latin motto

 

[Judge Dredd]

Do you really think you'll win today.

It will be a close game undoubtedly, but no Lincoln fan can be genuinely confident of it.

FFS Kenny what is this...

Almost hope we lose now.

 

[oakroader]

Traitor....JD's going hornet on us ....
burn him burn him

 

[SkyBluesRose]

Lincoln 1-1 Luton, and then Luton spend all their time the rest of the season between 4th and 7th before losing to Stevenage or Accrington in the playoffs.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

We've dropped our normal diamond and gone with 3 at the back which is interesting. Lee and Shinnie drop to the bench which is probably harsh on them given they have been decent so far but definitely a tactical thing

 

[Vanni]

FFS Kenny what is this...

Almost hope we lose now.

TBF to Kenny, I don't think 99.9% of fans of the other 23 clubs will relish playing you lot this year. Personally, when the time comes for the 254667 match between our sides, I wouldn't even feel confident if I hear Luton are playing their ressies.

But yeah, Kenny's post ain't exactly a subtle one. It comes across as all billy big bollox.

 

[Judge Dredd]

Jesus, don't believe a word from any Lincoln fan who tries to play down talk about being a direct physical side. Today they made a Westley side look like a Guardiola team. 90% of their threat comes from the keeper smashing it into orbit and seeing where the ball drops.

Tough to play against though as they are very well disciplined in midfield.

 

[Impish]

Do you really think you'll win today.

It will be a close game undoubtedly, but no Lincoln fan can be genuinely confident of it.

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

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Quite enjoyed the game despite the lack of goals, and a draw probably fair on reflection. Think we had the better of the first half, and had a couple of good openings through Hylton. Liked the look of the 352 in that period.

Second half I think Lincoln shaded with the physical threat they posed. Wouldn't surprise if the keeper is in the side for his massive kick above everything else! We dealt with it pretty well in the main though.

Always slightly disappointing when we keep a clean sheet with the firepower we have that we couldn't nick it but I thought in the second half when we got in the final third the wrong option was taken and a few held onto the ball too long.

Hope Collins injury isn't serious, although I thought Cornick had an excellent game when he came on in replacement. Stacey also looked decent especially first half. Think that Bostwick dominated Pelly in midfield, he deserved the MoM he got from the home sponsors for me.

Not sure why Cook was brought on over Lee or Shinnie to be honest m but given up with Jones on that score I think. Bit lucky to escape being sent off right at the end as well!

 

[Bosox]

Away form getting a bit concerning. Only two points from three games and only one of those games against a team likely to be challenging for promotion.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Away form getting a bit concerning. Only two points from three games and only one of those games against a team likely to be challenging for promotion.

Lincoln I think looked a playoff side for me to be fair. Think a lot of sides will struggle against them especially at Sincil Bank because they are so physical and difficult to play against, and good at that to boot. Definitely felt like today was a point gained.

 

[Kenneth E End]

Got to say Lincoln are a crack outfit.

 

[oakroader]

MPANSY.....THE EX WEST HAM SUPERSTAR........GIVE ME STRENGTH.......WHY IS HE STILL HERE ???
SO INEFECTIVE......WASTING A PLACE IN THE TEAM.......
YEAH,HE'S GOT A GOOD ENGINE.......SO HAS A DACIA DUSTER...BUT I WOULD'NT HAVE ONE OF THOSE SHITTERS EITHER!!!
LIKE A DURACELL BUNNY.....ALL PRETTY ON THE EYE WITH PLENTY OF STAMINA BUT ALL FAFF AND NO SUBSTANCE....

 

[Imp in Branston]

Draw was a fair scoreline, though when Arnold broke late from a Luton sent piece and was cynically taken /hacked down from behind when we had a 3 on 1, a yellow was the wrong decision IMO. Cracking atmosphere again at the Bank and our long unbeaten home run remains for another game. Luton were my faves to go up as champs so I don't really see it as two points dropped.

 

[Luke Imp]

I thought it was a good 0-0. Little in the way of clear chances, but enough going on, played at a frantic pace with defence and midfield on top but I think Luton found it tough in the final 10 minutes or so when they started settling for a point with taking an age over free-kicks. I think 3 went down with cramp?!

Bostwick, Woodyard and McCormack were patrolling that midfield area so, so well but Pelly struggled to get into it too much and probably wasn't his type of game.

For me, early on, if felt that it was two good sides playing. Luton will be a side who knock it around more than us, but the way we press didn't really allow them to get any rhythm in the game and ended up looking for Hylton (and Collins when he was on) and both sides were guilty of giving away lots of free-kicks and getting stuck in. To be fair to the ref, I thought he let a lot go.

Luton had a spell mid-way through the first half, which we got through and from that point, I thought we were comfortable for large parts without really creating enough, which is unusual, but I thought Luton's back 3 did well with Green and Rhead. We're just not quite right in both wide areas at the minute although that's to be expected with a RB at LB and a CM in front of him on the left wing.

Closest we came was a Waterfall header in the second half (hit the post or saved?) and their 'keeper saving from about 2 yards from Arnold after his initial shot was blocked.

I'm not having that as a yellow card in the final few minutes as Arnold was breaking away, by the way. That's verging on a dangerous play tackle and a red. It was from behind, no-where near the ball, no intention of getting the ball, studs up, above ankle height - the only thing missing was a two footer.

Honourable mention to Hylton, who's clearly a good player, but that dive halfway through the first half was absolutely pathetic. Ball played up to him, he's chested it, Long has backed off because there's a runner on the outside and he's dropped to the floor with Long about 3 yards of him, running the other way.

Good side, though, Luton. Look like they can do a bit of everything if needed.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

I thought it was a good 0-0. Little in the way of clear chances, but enough going on, played at a frantic pace with defence and midfield on top but I think Luton found it tough in the final 10 minutes or so when they started settling for a point with taking an age over free-kicks. I think 3 went down with cramp?!

Bostwick, Woodyard and McCormack were patrolling that midfield area so, so well but Pelly struggled to get into it too much and probably wasn't his type of game.

For me, early on, if felt that it was two good sides playing. Luton will be a side who knock it around more than us, but the way we press didn't really allow them to get any rhythm in the game and ended up looking for Hylton (and Collins when he was on) and both sides were guilty of giving away lots of free-kicks and getting stuck in. To be fair to the ref, I thought he let a lot go.

Luton had a spell mid-way through the first half, which we got through and from that point, I thought we were comfortable for large parts without really creating enough, which is unusual, but I thought Luton's back 3 did well with Green and Rhead. We're just not quite right in both wide areas at the minute although that's to be expected with a RB at LB and a CM in front of him on the left wing.

Closest we came was a Waterfall header in the second half (hit the post or saved?) and their 'keeper saving from about 2 yards from Arnold after his initial shot was blocked.

I'm not having that as a yellow card in the final few minutes as Arnold was breaking away, by the way. That's verging on a dangerous play tackle and a red. It was from behind, no-where near the ball, no intention of getting the ball, studs up, above ankle height - the only thing missing was a two footer.

Honourable mention to Hylton, who's clearly a good player, but that dive halfway through the first half was absolutely pathetic. Ball played up to him, he's chested it, Long has backed off because there's a runner on the outside and he's dropped to the floor with Long about 3 yards of him, running the other way.

Good side, though, Luton. Look like they can do a bit of everything if needed.

Can't remember the Hylton dive but he only gives as good as he gets. He's obviously a player who plays on the edge but thencentre halves he was up against today were all over him all game and being very physical, and he was getting nothing for it (as you say the ref let a lot go today). I don't think it's that's surprising he plays for things under those circumstances. He has the shit kicked out of him most weeks, especially away from home.

Just for balance Cuthbert was doing similar on Rhead.

 

[Son of Cod]

Woodyard's exceptional positional sense and discipline

Looking forward to 2-3 away goals next weekend.

 

[Davidimp]

As a good a 0-0 draw as you'll see with a cracking atmosphere to match.
Luton look a very decent side and very good on the break but we gave as good as we got.
First half was very even our best chance fell to Knott who put it just past the post.
Second half we finished the stronger as Luton started going down with cramp etc ( I'd be a little bit worried if I was Luton fan about that) and were maybe unlucky not to nick a late winner.
The 'challenge' on Arnold was a proper naughty one and another may well have sent him off by another ref but as has been said he let a lot go.
Nice to see so many away fans for a second week, wonder how many the 'champions' will bring in two weeks time?