Midfielders
2003/04 Peter Gain, Richard Butcher, Ben Sedgemore, Kevin Ellison, Richard Liburd
2018/19 Tom Pett, Lee Frecklington, Michael O’Connor, Harry Anderson, Mark O’Hara
In order to make the numbers the same I’ve had to draft in a midfielder, Keith didn’t like having too many players in the centre of the park. I’ve gone from the appearance stats for the season and added Richard Liburd who started 19 games for us, with his last appearance for us coming in a 0-0 draw with Macclesfield on March 30th.
I’ve also got to point out that this 2018/19 squad does not have the suspended Bruno Andrade in it, otherwise I’d be forced to add another midfielder from Keith’s squad.
That pits our current left winger Tom Pett against Peter Gain and whilst I rate Pett highly, Gain is the best footballer I’ve ever seen in a Lincoln shirt, so the oldies lead 1-0. There’s then a tough shout between Lee Frecklington and Richard Butcher. Maybe I’m letting nostalgia run riot over my head here, but I’m giving that to Butcher. In his prime he was excellent for us and Freck has been a great player, but right now he’s not at his peak.
O’Connor win against Ben Sedgemore, Mark O’Hara wins against Richard Liburd and Kevin Ellison, a left back for City, is a tough one with Harry Anderson. Remember, this is their effectiveness at the time and I believe that Harry edges it. he’s a goal threat, direct with his running and still only a young lad. It’s tough on Ellison, he would have won the left back duel, but was forced into midfield by the method. 3-2 to the current squad with Andrade not even involved.
A bit like comparing chalk with cheese. Far more valid would be to rate the current squad with Murphy’s early 80’s team (the best pure footballing team I ever saw in City colours} or the heroes of 75-76 (the most exciting Imps team ever). As for your Francis Green match-up – surely Jason Roberts can’t be that bad? Green may have worked his socks off but he had more chance of finding a pot of gold under a rainbow than the opposition goalmouth.
Michael, I agree the 1975/6 team was our most exciting – but not our best ever. I’m old enough to remember the 1955/6 side which finished just six points short of promotion to the top flight. Fred Middleton, Tony Emery, Dick Neal, Andy Graver & co were surely City’s best team ever. Up the Imps!!
Wholeheartedly agree, Geoffrey. Dick Neal was chosen for England under-23s that season and was one of the best players I’ve seen in an Imps shirt. And Tony Emery was a magnificent centre back.
Presume you wrote this to get a reaction comparing teams and time periods need to take all factors into consideration to do it justice Keith being suspended 3 directors going in the same week assistant manager departing the scene yeo coming back from new Zealand if you were looking at a nearby season