Appleton ushering in new era at Lincoln

When Lincoln City's management duo of Danny and Nicky Cowley walked out in 2019 for a fresh challenge in the Championship, many suspected that the club who had ridden the crest of a wave from the National League to League One might be in for hard times. 

However, the Cowleys' successor Michael Appleton has since made his mark at Sincil Bank and Lincoln are currently flying high in the third tier with an exciting, young team playing easy-on-the-eye football. 

To talk us through the trauma of the Cowley's departure, Appleton's impressive rebuild and City's fantastic form this season, we fired ten questions the way of We Are The Imps - and their answers make for very interesting reading...

1. Let's rewind to September 2019 when Michael Appleton replaced Danny Cowley, after the latter had left Lincoln to become Huddersfield manager, the Imps were buried 6-0 at home by Oxford United in Appleton's first game in charge...what thoughts and emotion were swirling around Sincil Bank at this time?

Well, Michael Appleton was in-fact only in the stands to witness the 6-0 defeat to Oxford. I think you could have named any emotion and Lincoln fans might have been feeling it. Of course, losing Danny Cowley (and let’s not forget Nicky) was tough to take. You fear the worst after a defeat like that, who wouldn’t. 

One thing we always had with the Cowley’s at the helm was stability so when they departed, it was a sense of the unknown that made things worse. It was a strange first season with Michael as the manager because it was turbulent, to say the least. But, we saw glimpses of what he wanted to bring to the club and it would take a bit of time for the fans to adjust.

©Getty / Andrew Vaughan - CameraSport

2. Appleton had led Lincoln to a 16th-placed finish in League One in the coronavirus-curtailed 2019/20 season when Cowley was fired as Terriers boss in July 2020. A lot of Imps fans wanted Cowley and his management team reinstated - were you one of them?

Truthfully, I can’t say I was one of them. I guess it could have been a similar situation to when Eddie Howe came back to manage Bournemouth. But, as the old saying goes, ‘all good things must come to an end’. I am forever grateful for what Danny and Nicky did for the club. They saved us and Lincoln fans were treated to some unforgettable moments.

The right thing to do was give Michael Appleton a chance. It was the least he deserved. As I mentioned earlier, we saw glimpses in his first season. When it came together, we played some really nice stuff even when it wasn’t Michael’s side. The most important thing was staying up and then allowing Appleton and his team to instil their philosophy. Seeing a lot of familiar faces go was also strange, but it is about adapting. 

3. You now sit top of the pile in League One with a young and exciting squad - what has changed from last season to this? Who have been your star performers?

Simply looking at the personnel changes you can see that we are a very different team. The most obvious difference is that from Alex Palmer in net to Tom Hopper leading the line, everyone has technical ability. Players are confident with the ball at their feet and will look to play passing football all over the pitch. 

Movement off the ball is also a big improvement. We play at a fast pace and players are always looking for a quick give and go.

In terms of star performers, this is really tough because we are not a team of individuals. If I have to name a few, Jorge Grant has taken his game to a new level this season. We all knew how good he was, but under Michael, he has excelled. TJ Eyoma at right-back has been superb, alongside all the backline to be honest. Morgan Rogers has come in and really made a difference. He and Brennan Johnson are so enjoyable to watch and their pace is unlike what we have previously had at the club. These are only a handful but it really is a selfless team that works so hard for each other.

4. How has the Imps' style of play evolved under Appleton? Are there any remnants of the direct football that brought the Cowleys such success? 

When you’re watching Lincoln, it’s clear that we have evolved. Appleton has got the team playing out of the back with confidence and the priority is keeping the ball on the deck. We are constantly looking for the ball to feet and open up teams with a high tempo passing game. Sometimes it can be our own downfall - particularly in the last few games being caught out in our own final third. These things happen and it’s part of the Michael Appleton style of play. 

Yet, there are some similarities. Appleton and the Cowleys both place an importance on the full-backs. This was an area Danny and Nicky succeeded in. They brought in Neal Eardley, as well as Harry Toffolo who were imperative in our promotion to League One. This has remained with TJ Eyoma and Tayo Edun (with the additions of Regan Poole and Cohen Bramhall) the starters at the moment.

©Getty / James Chance

5. Playmaker Jorge Grant appears to have developed his game considerably under Appleton - how good has he been this season? Is he the best midfielder in League One for your money?

Jorge Grant has been immense. He is playing with such freedom and confidence at the moment. We wouldn’t be in the position we are without him. I am not one for saying a player is the best in the league, but he is certainly up there with the top midfielders in the division.

6. Lincoln have scored more goals (72) across all domestic competitions than any team this season - yet your League One top scorer (Tom Hopper/Jorge Grant) only has eight goals...what do you put that down to?

I would put that down to the unselfish nature of the team. While Tom Hopper is our number nine, he does so much more than the usual striker. He leads the line so well and brings others into play. Sometimes I think he should shoot more, but his link-up play is invaluable. I don’t think it is anything to be worried about, especially when everyone is chipping in with goals. 

7. The Imps have scored more late goals (13 between 76-90 mins) than any team in League One this season; how important has fitness and conditioning been to your fine form this season?

It’s a stat that the whole team and coaching staff should be proud of. We are also up there with the teams that have conceded the least amount of goals in the same period. Without a doubt, it has contributed to our success. This was also something we got accustomed to under the Cowleys. They too stressed the importance of fitness because it pays dividends in the final stages of the match. It should bode well for us in the run-in.

8. Who have been Lincoln's most impressive opponents this season? Why?

The strange thing is, we have been on the end of some heavy defeats this season. Portsmouth and Sunderland spring to mind. But, I personally was most impressed with Accrington Stanley when we played them at home in a thrilling 2-2 draw. I was really impressed with how they took the game to us, notably the way they pressed and really made life difficult. Peterborough were also very impressive after a long lay off when we drew to Posh. Ask me this question again later down the line because it keeps changing...

9. You've put yourself in pole position for a crack at automatic promotion - do you think the Imps can sustain their form to the end of the season? If you could choose one player to stay fit between now and the end of the season, who would it be?

I think we have the ability, it’s whether the younger players can keep their composure and we don’t panic. We haven’t been at our best recently but have managed to pick up some points. Michael said after our Papa John’s defeat to Sunderland that we were leggy. I am hoping this was just a one-off and with no cup football left, we can start to replicate the form that got us into this position.

Again, this is very tough so I am going to give two players. A player we need to keep fit is Tom Hopper. I believe he makes everyone else around him play better. So the likes of Rogers, Johnson, Scully and Grant have a forward man with whom they can interlink. My second player is actually someone who we really need back. This is Liam Bridcutt. We are missing his presence at the moment. Bridcutt has what many of the other players do not, and that’s experience. He has been paramount to our success sitting in-front of the defence providing security not only for the defenders but our playmakers can push forward and do what they do best in the final third. If we are still in the automatic places by the time he is back, I am confident we will get over the line.

10. Lincoln currently have the second meanest defence in the division - who, in particular, has stood out at the back this season?

An easy thing to say, but all the defenders have been excellent. Lewis Montsma started the season so well but was sidelined with injury for a short while. Joe Walsh has also been terrific. This is really difficult because to have a good defence, you have to be organised as a collective so I actually could just go through every one. The full-backs, as I have mentioned, have both been impressive. TJ and Tayo are so assured and are so influential from their positions. 

If you have to have one name, I would say TJ Eyoma but this changes with each game.

📈 Most goals scored in 2020/21 (top 4 tier teams; all domestic comps):

72⚽: 💥LINCOLN*💥
70⚽: Man City
68⚽: Brentford
67⚽: Portsmouth
66⚽: Man Utd, Peterborough, Exeter

* 42 in L1, 6 in FA🏆, 9 in Carabao🏆 and 15 in EFL Trophy.#ImpsAsOne @LincolnCity_FC pic.twitter.com/FHKxPkdl8h

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) February 23, 2021