CM: Alex Woodyard

I suppose the next big question is how I feel we should set up in midfield. Despite the plethora of wingers we have, I’m not sure we ever looked piercing enough when both Woodyard and Bozzie played in midfield but nobody else. In a 4-3-3, they’d both still play. Let’s keep you guessing a bit longer, eh?

If Lincoln are playing, Alex Woodyard is playing. He’s a superb talent, a player who works tirelessly and who has pledged his future to the club on numerous occasions. Right now, he is a certain to start for City. In the summer, I expect another transfer saga and this time, it wouldn’t surprise me to see a big club come in and take a punt. You don’t play like Alex does every week and not get noticed by sides other than Luton or Scunthorpe.

CM: Michael Bostwick

Every team should have a Bostwick figure, the tough, no-nonsense midfielder who could tackle a concrete pylon and walk away leaving the pylon crumpled in a heap. He’s massive in the air, he’s ferocious on the floor and if we had four of him, we’d play all four versions.

The jury is out whether he’s better in defence or midfield, the truth is it really doesn’t matter. He’s going to play and we’ve looked best at the back when Woodyard and Bozzie have ben mopping up in front. Therefore, the only option is to play the two of them together, side by side.

I’m told he’s every bit as grizzly as he looks, he’d be much happier riding a Harley across the country, living of things he could kill than being a stereotypical footballer living the high life. I haven’t spoken to him before but something tells me I’m not being misled. Once, on my way in to a game I was smoking a cigar and he walked past. “That smells lovely,” he commented taking in huge nose full. I could just see myself sitting down to a night of poker, whiskey and cigars with Michael Bostwick. I’d be too scared to win though, that is for sure.

CM: Lee Frecklington

So, there you have it. I’m sold on 4-3-3. I’ve always been a 4-4-2 man, I’ve always said football is simple, you have a ball winner and a ball player in midfield. I chanted ‘4-4-2’ to Peter Jackson at half time of that Accrington game and I wouldn’t contemplate anything else. Until now.

Sometimes you have to adapt a tactic to a squad and whilst some may disagree, Lee Frecklington’s arrival proves it. Come on, who did watch our Carabao Cup game and think ‘I’d love him back one day?’ I did and when it happened, I didn’t care how we accommodated him.

There’s a certain irony to only bringing in players that make you better, it leaves selection headaches but can also leave you short. In a 4-4-2 we need to accommodate three of the best central midfield players in League Two. In a 4-3-3, we can be found light if one needs to go off. Luckily, Elliott Whitehouse is at home in the new formation which is why for me, it is the way to go.

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