Welcome to Sincil Super Saturday - Its time for the LCM look at the Lincoln City line up plus the Wycombe Wanderers scout report from Ivan Impgrass.
Neil's prediction: A minutes silence, focus then lets win this one for Richard Butcher RIP (obituary click here)
Vics Prediction: Its winnable if lady luck is on our side, but it would have been nice to have had Monsieur Sangare and his prayer mat on our side. 1-0 Imps
Ivan Impgrass: History certainly backs up a 1-0 Iwin for the Imps but my head horns and to an extent heart says another thriller with Ainsworth starring in a glorious return as the Imps go down 2-3.
The Imps
Steve Tilson has struggled to get even a full side out training every day this week with 10 and 13 the two lowest ticks on the register. Green has been added to an injury list so long, well to dwell on it would be counterproductive. Kelly has been drafted in at right back from Reading and the signing of Grimes suggests the fate of the Imps will not be sealed should we lose this one you would feel.
Oh contraire
Steve Tilson and the team believe Wycombe are beatable. Despite their class and League position they are two games into a ‘wobble’ and toying with formation. This may seem a bit rich coming from a side that shoots itself in the foot more than Iron man in a magnet factory with his finger on the trigger of a Bren gun. Yet one nil to the mighty Imps has been the way of things in our last three home matches against Wycombe sides either chasing or on the verge of achieving promotion.
The Imps have employed various shapes this week – perhaps due to the changing circumstances – with an incredible will, desire and thankfully belief building within the side. Today is but one battle in the war but it can set the tone for an impassioned run next 26 matches. It needs to Stockport next week is massive.
GK Anyan
RB Kelly –– CB Swaibu - CB Danny Hone - LB Clapham
RW Jarrett – CM Kerr – CM Howell - LW Carayol
FC Grimes - FC Hutchinson
Subs
20 Musselwhite, 3 Anderson, 9 McCallum, 10 Broughton, 27 Hutchinson
Wycombe to go 4-4-2 or 4-3-3
Wycombe Boss Waddock has gone public in the local press over retaining the 4-3-3 formation that led to a surprise 0-1 defeat and cup exit against Hereford. Kidology suggests playing Stuart Beavon on his own up-front against the Imps defence to be a trifle charitable even if he pushed his livewire wingers, Kevin Betsy and Gareth, Ainsworth further up field.
The likelihood is a return to the trusty 4-4-2 formation that saw 4 wins on the trot prior to a 0-3 rout at Crewe. Scant consolation perhaps for City, but this and the Bulls defeat sees a third potential defeat in a week for the Chairboys should the Imps unseat them later today.
Gary Waddock played in a 4-3-3 at QPR for years and successfully employed the tactic at Aldershot. It leads to more possession yet surprisingly less goals, with an often isolated front man needing to hold it up to bring the wide men into play on the counter. The more frustrating of the South American sides love it; its defensive nature is in reality only 10-20 yards from a 4-5-1.
Rendell you feel has to be brought back along side Beavon with Kevin Betsy and Gareth Ainsworth told to get at our full backs. Grimes and – please don’t shoot the messenger – trapdoor Broughton would be perfect against a weakened central defensive pairing; Johnson (knee) and Winfield (hamstring) face late fitness tests this morning with Alan Bennett and Chris Westwood set to deputise.
1 Nikki Bull
19 Marvin McCoy 4 Alan Bennett 23 Chris Westwood 3 Andrew Sandell
7 Gareth Ainsworth 17 Lewis Montrose 18 Stuart Lewis 11 Kevin Betsy
9 Scott Rendell 20 Stuart Beavon