Match Day 9
After a nice 3 weeks break the Imps return to action against Sheffield United, a team that was in the premiership only 2 seasons ago, they sit 18th and Lincoln are currently 12th and 2 points of the play-offs, the last time we played Sheffield at Bramall Lane was when they was in the premiership 2 years ago, we was a league 1 team and won 3-2 on penalties, in the league was 1984 and it was a 0-0 draw, we ended up playing them 4 times that season twice in the F.A Cup, drawing 2 and losing 2.
With the international break over we do have a lot of positives coming from our squad, Ivan Varfolomeev made his senior debut for Ukraine coming on in the 86th minute and fantastic bit of scouting done knowing he might break into the top level of international football and well deserved. Andrei Coubis played all 4 games for Romania, he is now the usual suspect on the right side of a back 5, we play him as a wing back at times but this shows he can adapt to the duty of either role. Chieo Ogbene played 3 times for Republic of Ireland, although not our player if Ipswich stay up in the Premiership there is a chance we will sign him permenantly. Oisin Gallager, currently on loan at Barnet, played for the under 21’s for Republic of Ireland, they actually beat England 3-1 and secured the play-offs. Finally Yunus Konak played for Turkey under 21’s, although he isn’t our player he is on loan from Brentford, and unfortunatly due to his age there wont be much chance of signing him at the end of the season.
Lincoln's XI
I will be going to the Sheffield game so again it will be a predicted lineup, we will be sticking to the trusted 5-2-3 line up which is working very well especially when competing against teams better than us it allows very quick counter attacks and the overlaps on the wings and putting dangerous balls in the box.
George Wickens will be starting in goal with 2 clean sheets in a row away from home, being on the road seems to be an advantage for him.
Coubis and Reach could be paired as the wing backs in defence on the right and left respectively, although Elder hasn’t had a great deal of game time so he could start, all 3 look comfortable in their positions.
Supporting them will be Towler, Bradley and Elerewe, these 3 started against Swansea and didn’t make a mistake all game, they was just unlucky with a deflected goal, they are all consistent but dont be surprised if Hamer plays instead of Towler as he hasn’t had much game time aswell.
Midfield is a hard one. I really like Bayliss but I'm not quite sure he’s at the Championship level, so I’d personally have Varfolomeev and McGrandles a solid combination and Varfolomeev will be on cloud 9 with his debut for the national team.
Hackett and House will probably be on the wings with Draper playing as the main striker, between in 3 of them there is 5 goals, so they are a threat but I would like to see Ogbene as he looked very keen to run down the wing and take players on when we played Bristol.
The Substitions
Gauci, Street, Konak, Ladefoged, Ogbene, Olaofe, Elder, Bayliss
Analysis
Sheffield was beat 2-1 by Stoke in there last game, Stoke sit 7th in the play-offs so they wont be a push over this season so that is probably a good result for Sheffield, we will use our physicality in defence and get the big defenders up for set pieces and try to run down the wings on the counter attack with house running down every ball hoping for a mistake from a Sheffield player who panics.
Prediction
I imagine sheffield will come out the gates with all guns blazing hoping to get an early goal and cause our fans to tone it down, if they try this we might actually get the early goal as we have looked really good on the 2nd ball opportunity's, Konak, Bayliss and Hamer could come on in the 60-65 minute mark, Elder and Ladeforge in the 75-80 minute mark, this game will be a goal festival as Sheffield have some big names such as Patrick Bamford and Kalvin Phillips, both big names and both have the ability to change the game but they've been letting in a few goals so im predicting a 3-3 draw with Draper getting 2 goals.
Let's make some noise in the away end and get the team over the finish line !
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