redvermouth ?@werdermouth And if you remember, I did give you credit for more than assisting with my Headliner against Watford. That counted as a win for you also in my book. 😎 👍
Ok - maybe I can claim one assist 😉
Perhaps it's just the name - I could try writing previews in a nom de plume if things go pear-shaped today...
I hope Hellberg and his team have got their own AI to counter their AI 😊 - Though these type of tactics and set plays are how Arsenal won the PL last season but will they have enough individual quality in comparison?
I suspect Lincoln's team of big lads may find life harder when faced with high-tempo quick passing but it sounds like a physical encounter awaits. So not a game for Whittaker or Sarmiento to start for me.
Woken this morning feeling positive about this season opener (apologies Wrexham, that was really just the last pre-season run-out).
AndyR is quite right. If we do not have what it takes, even with our injury list, to deal with a team set up in our last season's achilles heel, then we will be no better than last season.
So. Even though we still have new faces in the team, our quality will win out. Never mind OFB's Boro3, I can see a statement 4, or even 5, to nil victory.
Hoping OFB is fit to at least watch on TV.
CoB
If you are looking for a nom de plume you will be hard put to better the wit of your current handle.
What about going for the name of a no nonsense player from a bygone era? Say somebody from the dirty Leeds sides of the past ?
Billy Bremen?
I could ask my Leeds supporting nephews which name they would recommend for me but then I'd have to write no nonsense previews 😉
Refferee today from a Lincoln perspective. Appears to be a bit of a carder, but will the Boro get the protection they may need from a bulling side.
Referee Overview
Robert Madley (AKA Bobby) is the man in charge of this game, a name which may sound familiar to Lincoln fans. He most recently refereed Lincoln’s 4-0 home victory over Blackpool last season, a game which involved Madley making many controversial decisions, with the most obvious one being an incident where Blackpool’s striker Ashley Fletcher had the ball near the sideline and, as it flicked up into the air, he used his hand to control the ball and push it forward into his path, allowing him to get past the Lincoln defender. That incident almost ended in a goal for the visitors, and Madley never gave the handball.
He has officiated 194 competitive games in total and, across all those matches, averaged 3.48 yellow cards and 0.20 red cards per match, with 21.9 fouls awarded per match. More recently, in his last 20 matches, he has averaged 3.9 yellow cards per game and both teams received bookings in 75% of those fixtures. In total, he has awarded 37 penalties and 28 red cards. Madley is a referee with Premier League experience who spent the majority of last season in the Championship alongside games in League One, League Two and the EFL Cup.
@pedro It’s now been announced officially by MFC. Another quality signing?
Mmmm. A little strange and still no sign of Morris
Interesting team selection with both Lankshear and Joseph starting - looks like Malanda back in defence with the return of Kante in midfield - plus Borges starting over Arfsten. Good to see McGree on the bench too - along with Jones! Vitek starts as suspected.
CJ:
Well then, that's some first team from Hellberg.
Kante gets the nod, with Malanda dropping back in defence. Massive opportunity for him.
Borges starts ahead of Arfsten at left-back, with the USA international on the bench.
Joseph replaces Sarmiento in the starting line-up too, after his strong cameo against Wrexham. Hellberg said Thursday that Joseph is ready to start, but won't be able to do the full 90.
Few ways that could be. 4-2-3-1 like Wrexham. Joseph left wing. Or 4-2-2-2 with Joseph alongside Lankshear and Castledine moving left, or 4-3-3 with Kante 6 and Castledine and Berhalter at 8.
Looks like a back four with Jones and Edmundson on the bench and Arfsten available to come on and play anywhere on the left. McGree on the bench as well. Kante gets the holding role in midfield. There has been some word that he has impressed Hellberg, so it will be interesting to see how he goes. If he has been doing well in practice it puts less stress on Morris to play before he's ready. Kante missed last week because of an accumulation of yellow cards from the French play-offs. No injury issues.
Peart-Harris is on the bench as well so that really only leaves Strelec, Morris and Conway as no-shows......and a certain Ashley Phillips in the stands.
UTB
Kante gets the holding role in midfield. There has been some word that he has impressed Hellberg, so it will be interesting to see how he goes. If he has been doing well in practice it puts less stress on Morris to play before he's ready. Kante missed last week because of an accumulation of yellow cards from the French play-offs. No injury issues.
CJ on Kanté:
Massive opportunity for the young midfielder today.
Sources suggest he's impressed this summer and has earned this chance, which he now has to take. It'd be a boost for Boro if he shows he can be a reliable deputy for Morris.
Suspended last weekend against Wrexham, it meant we didn't get the opportunity to see how Kim really rated him after his return from St Etienne, but we have our answer today. His opportunity to deliver now.
A perfect Saturday so far. A bacon butty with friends at the Salty Dog cafe, followed by a walk on the beach at Cayton Bay.
Settling down now to watch the game on Sky+ having smiled at another great signing. What could possibly go wrong?
Oh oh! Imps a goal up in the 12th minute courtesy of one Adam Reach... 🙁
Oh oh! Imps a goal up in the 12th minute courtesy of one Adam Reach... 🙁
CJ:
Boro's sloppy start costly. Poor ball from Borges out from the back straight out for a throw. From the attack, it's crossed low and eventually finds Reach arriving just inside the area beyond the back post. He produces a stunning first-time effort across goal.
Boro not got into the game as yet and Adam Reach (who else) puts Lincoln ahead with a good strike - though he was completely unmarked with Whittaker failing to track his run from the halfway line
Poor. Out muscled, out thought and second best.
Significant improvement required if we are to get anything from this game.
Problems in midfield and a lack of creativity. Whittaker, Casteldine and Kante just not performing. Need to go three at the back. 😎
Really, really poor first half from Boro. Bullied out of it by Lincoln for 20 minutes. No pace, precious little creativity. Far too many sloppy passes putting us under significant pressure. A huge improvement needed second half.
It’s no longer a perfect Saturday. That’s as bad a half as we’ve seen from Boro in quite some time.
Changes needed at half time I think.
Oh dear. We’ve been outfought by a limited side so far.
Desperate for some quality on the ball. How fit is McGree?
Boro couldn't cope with either Lincoln's high press and their long balls out of defence - Boro couldn't pass it out of defence under pressure and struggled to create opportunities as the Imps got back into shape. corner after corner plus long throws kept Boro pinned back for the first quarter that ultimately led to the goal - which was poor marking of Reach who was left to stike under no pressure as Whittaker didn't track him back.
Joseph looked the pick for Boro but Hellberg's men lacking quality in possession - especially in their own half. Seems like we need another midfielder - perhaps we'll see McGree.
So much for my mis-placed optimism.
Sloppy passing is making it easy for Lincoln. Not enough movement to create space. I woyld be tempted to bring Edmonson on for Kante and move Mallander into midfield. Whittacker ineffectual again and playing for a penalry instead ofcstayingvon his feet. Take him off and put McGree on in his place. Borges alao looking suspect....
Big big change in attitude and pace required in the second half. Otherwise it looks like the team is not being coached appropriately to beat a well drilled back line and deep midfield line.... just like last year.
Can't write them off though and I am expecting a totally different game in the second half.
CoB
Interestingly, Boro had 73% possession but Lincoln with more shots (9) and felt like they were in control of the game. What Boro lack is pace out wide as nobody prepared to beat their man.
@werdermouth agreed. The best chance we had was the one time when Castledine got in behind at the left. If we did get behind the defence like that more often, we will draw a penalty if we don't get the right cross to score from
No changes at the start of the second half.