The Michael Appleton Era: What 3 Things Did We Learn?
- Thread starter Jules
- Start date
domski2017
Vital Squad Member
1) It is very hard to replace club management legends and please some entitled fans especially the ones who like managers jumping up and down on the line and hoof ball.
2) I have watched Lincoln on/off since 1976 and last season was the best football I have witnessed.
3) Poor recruitment and the play off final, health scares. Signing injury prone players and some very bad injury luck, combined with criticising and side-lining players you actually signed put pay to his era.
2) I have watched Lincoln on/off since 1976 and last season was the best football I have witnessed.
3) Poor recruitment and the play off final, health scares. Signing injury prone players and some very bad injury luck, combined with criticising and side-lining players you actually signed put pay to his era.
sedgleyimp
Vital Champions League
1. You just can't please some supporters. Next season will be our fourth in the third tier of English Football, something we haven't achieved for the best part of forty years. We were within 90 minutes of getting to the Championship some 11 months ago. Yet for some supporters Michael Appleton was never the manager they wanted. Why did they think that way?. Honestly not a clue. Was it because he didn't bounce around on the touchline or popped to the local primary schools. Under his leadership we have established ourselves as a League 1 team, a team who are capable of winning at teams who ended up winning this league. No doubt when the replacement is announced the same names will be on their keyboards saying we have not made the right choice again and quickly get back to their FM save where they have the luxury of a reset button when you've lost to Accrington.
2. The standing of this football club in this country's pyramid has increased massively. You only need to look at the teams we are dealing with for loanees to see this. Manchester City and Arsenal to name but two. Teams like this would not have sent their future greats to us in past seasons. The trust the likes of Arteta and Guardiola put into how Michael Appleton has brought their young players on will keep us in good stead as we move forward. You only have to see how Brennan Johnson is doing to know that MA is, above all else, a terrific coach of young players and if he does end up in the England set-up it bodes well for the National Teams future.
3. It's never been less than interesting. From the playing it out at the back which often put supporters hearts into their mouths, to watching from a TV screen as the team played some superb football last season to wondering why Chris Maguire was always getting selected when he didn't deserve to be, it's never been boring over the last 3 seasons. Would some prefer glory hunting at the top of the Premiership beating inferior opposition week in week out, or just not quite knowing which Lincoln team would turn out that day? I'm very much in the latter group.
2. The standing of this football club in this country's pyramid has increased massively. You only need to look at the teams we are dealing with for loanees to see this. Manchester City and Arsenal to name but two. Teams like this would not have sent their future greats to us in past seasons. The trust the likes of Arteta and Guardiola put into how Michael Appleton has brought their young players on will keep us in good stead as we move forward. You only have to see how Brennan Johnson is doing to know that MA is, above all else, a terrific coach of young players and if he does end up in the England set-up it bodes well for the National Teams future.
3. It's never been less than interesting. From the playing it out at the back which often put supporters hearts into their mouths, to watching from a TV screen as the team played some superb football last season to wondering why Chris Maguire was always getting selected when he didn't deserve to be, it's never been boring over the last 3 seasons. Would some prefer glory hunting at the top of the Premiership beating inferior opposition week in week out, or just not quite knowing which Lincoln team would turn out that day? I'm very much in the latter group.
Chesterimp
Vital Football Hero
A symphony of 3 movements.
1. Allegretto - A fanfare of an unveiling and a 6-0 drubbing by way of welcome. A lot of sceptics, accusations of lack of passion but
two sensational home wins and the reaction to that last minute goal won many over. A January window shipped big earners, brought in some promising youngsters as MA implemented the L1 business model the Cowleys were reluctant to. As covid curtailed the season and all clubs faced a financial melt down, January's business proved inspired.
2. Allegro. MA's recalibration continued and the second movement saw a squad almost completely renewed playing, most of the season in empty grounds, with astonishing virtuosity never seen in a Lincoln team in our lifetimes. Brilliant young loans like Brennan Johnson complemented brilliant permanent signings like Lewis Montsma to lead L1 for much of the season. Injuries to key players tested the depth of the squad, form dipped but, Sunderland dramatically beaten and an early lead at Wembley overturned, as ever it's the hope which kills.
3. Adagietto, occasional Vivace. Different funding rules and we're immediately on the back foot, competing against silly money. Key players sold and former loan ripping up the Championship, that' s the model but new players aren't virtuosi, hit some bum notes though Wigan, Sunderland and Sheffield Wed shows they can still find the rhythm. And the players are all made of Glass. Discordant, frustrating, exasperating, occasionally brilliant, fingernails down the blackboard in comparison with the fine harmonies of the 2nd movement. But the composition as a whole? Maestro Michael orchestrated a performance which a times hit the highest standards ever witnessed at Sincil Bank, and truly touched the soul. Bravo!
1. Allegretto - A fanfare of an unveiling and a 6-0 drubbing by way of welcome. A lot of sceptics, accusations of lack of passion but
two sensational home wins and the reaction to that last minute goal won many over. A January window shipped big earners, brought in some promising youngsters as MA implemented the L1 business model the Cowleys were reluctant to. As covid curtailed the season and all clubs faced a financial melt down, January's business proved inspired.
2. Allegro. MA's recalibration continued and the second movement saw a squad almost completely renewed playing, most of the season in empty grounds, with astonishing virtuosity never seen in a Lincoln team in our lifetimes. Brilliant young loans like Brennan Johnson complemented brilliant permanent signings like Lewis Montsma to lead L1 for much of the season. Injuries to key players tested the depth of the squad, form dipped but, Sunderland dramatically beaten and an early lead at Wembley overturned, as ever it's the hope which kills.
3. Adagietto, occasional Vivace. Different funding rules and we're immediately on the back foot, competing against silly money. Key players sold and former loan ripping up the Championship, that' s the model but new players aren't virtuosi, hit some bum notes though Wigan, Sunderland and Sheffield Wed shows they can still find the rhythm. And the players are all made of Glass. Discordant, frustrating, exasperating, occasionally brilliant, fingernails down the blackboard in comparison with the fine harmonies of the 2nd movement. But the composition as a whole? Maestro Michael orchestrated a performance which a times hit the highest standards ever witnessed at Sincil Bank, and truly touched the soul. Bravo!
