In recent weeks we’ve spoken so much about the game being one of ‘two halves’, but last night was actually two halves, and two quarters. The second two quarters I have seen described as many things on social media; shamble, unacceptable, diabolical, but all are just angry hyperbole that don’t adequately describe the events, nor add context. The truth is we were not as good in the second half as we were in the first, but those sensational words used to suggest we’ve hit a new low are poorly thought out, incorrectly used and paint the wrong picture of the strangest 45 (and the rest) I’ve ever been a part of at Sincil Bank.
It actually started well, City came out looking quite fired up and a terrific ball from Morgan Whittaker released Cullen, who had the chance taken off his toe with a tremendous tackle at last minute. It became clear Doncaster’s plan had been to ride out the first half and then try to nick something in the second, and that led to them at least showing a bit of endeavour as the minutes ticked away. That, combined with us seemingly taking our foot off the gas changed the complexion of the game, and the nature of the support in the stands. Whilst the 617 were excellent, I felt other elements we’d not seen for two games crept in; sighs as when we went backwards as if us playing that way was new. That transferred onto the players a bit as well, there were one or two nervous passes, one or two players visibly dropping when they made a mistake.
What’s that meme I often see? ‘Here we go again’ I think it says, and I could feel that happening. Doncaster hadn’t turned up the heat, but the Imps players began to wilt anyway, and yet still we searched for a chance without any serious threat. Just after the hour mark, it was the standout Norton-Cuffy again, this time striding into space and lashing a ball just wide of the post. It felt like a 0-0 was on the cards, but if anyone was going to nick it, maybe it was us.
Then we had the extended break in play, as the medical emergency was attended to. After the poor initial response from some of the stewards, the rest of the incident seemed to be handled very well, and although it was certainly unsettling for everyone, the concern was purely around the supporter’s welfare. It seemed like a long break, although it was only 26 minutes. I felt extracting a supporter from a tight stand in the manner they did, and having him lucid and able to wave to supporters as he left, we a credit to those who attended him. For a moment, it seemed there was something much more important than football, but of course, that wasn’t the focus at the end of the game. As someone who is currently experiencing regular chest pains, without a solid diagnosis until my nuclear blast test, it was a sobering half hour for me. I began to regret the McDonald’s fries I’d had with my nephew before the game.
Within ten minute of the restart, we were behind. It wasn’t before we’d put a couple of decent balls into the box, one for John Marquis he just couldn’t bring down. It’s clear we have a problem breaking down a wall of opposition players, it showed against Bowers and Pitsea, so it was always going to be a struggle against Doncaster. I’m not sure what some fans want as we go side to side, looking to pry open a space; they expect a magic ball to cut the defence apart, but it isn’t always possible. Look, there were some bad choices of ball, once or twice we could have kept going wide and went infield, a couple of times we lost the ball in poor positions, but ‘shambles’? No, not for me. Disappointing, but not shambles.
The one time Doncaster did enter the area, they got a penalty. There was a small catalogue of errors as we tried to get out, we gave the ball away which led to the shot from their player, but there’s no complaints with the handball. My only question is this; if it’s deliberate, is it not a red card? If it’s not, which the yellow suggests, then is it a booking? Of course, this is fairly irrelevant, but that’s where my anger was placed after the game. I think that might be called displacement, but I might be wrong.
We don’t save penalties, we didn’t save this one, and before the ball had even been kicked, Doncaster had their subs stripped down. They knew if it went in, we could be easily frustrated, It went in, we were easily frustrated and the final 15 minutes led to the massive overreaction I saw on social media, the exaggerated expressions of anger, a few Appleton Out calls (as if he missed the first half chances), and that divide opening between some fans once again. Oh joy, just when you think you’re out of the woods, here’s another big area of trees.
The was another positive, Tom Hopper came on late and we went a bit longer in the final stages, but with eleven men behind the ball, we were never going to get through when ten or nine had stopped us before that. The minutes petered away, slowly but surely, and the inevitable conclusion was finally reached: City lost at home, an occurrence as regular as night following day, or Andy Pearson using an emoji in a tweet.
Some players did not have a good game; I thought Maguire misplaced a lot of his passes, but at least he never seems to let his head drop. Cohen didn’t get much opportunity to get down the left and looked to fade quickly in the second half, and some of our balls into the box were overhit and overcooked. However, plenty of balls into the box were decent and we didn’t have a player on the end of them, which again is frustrating. I thought the centre backs defended well, until the handball, obviously, whilst McGrandles and Sanders both put a good shift in.
I know there’s criticism of Cullen and Whittaker, and doubtless because they’re the favourite new worst enemy of some supporters, their marks will be low, but actually I thought they did ok./ Whittaker faded in the second half, but looked lively and wanted to get into the box as much as possible, whilst Cullen got in good positions, had some decent efforts and worked hard. His only crime, maybe, is that he drifts out of the game a bit, but let’s not forget those two players drew saves from the keeper. That was a problem a few weeks ago, we weren’t even working keepers. Last night we did, even if it didn’t quite work.
Of course, Brooke Norton-Cuffy was absolutely outstanding again. He’s basically our right back until the end of the season, any other choice is wrong. By the way, the next time you’re criticising us playing out from the back, remember this; we get players like Brooke because of the way we play. That’s why big clubs loan us their youngsters, and if you like him (as you did Johnson, Eyoma last season, Rogers), then you have to accept the style. Boot it long, get Watford midfielders who pick up red cards.
As for our opponents, they’re 100% destined for League Two next season. Their support was excellent, proper fans giving their team every encouragement, but the players were utterly abysmal. Yes, we’ve lost to an abysmal team, but aside from the penalty, they offered absolutely nothing at all. It’s the second season in a row we’ve utterly dominated them at the Bank and not got a result, so credit them for at least staying strong. However, I can’t see how that team beats anyone other than maybe Accrington and Morecambe, from the performances I’ve seen against us this season, and they’ll need a lot more than that to escape the bottom four. Maybe that paragraph will come back to haunt me at the end of the season. Somehow, I doubt it.
That’s about it from me. I know you won’t care about the attacking momentum graphic below, or the other stats (there’s only one stat that counts right? I mean, Brentford literally sign players based on the other stats and have got to the Premier League, but John is row G knows better), but just have a look; it was the most one-sided 1-0 defeat you’ll ever see. The outcome wasn’t the one we wanted, and we’re all going to express our anger in any way we can, but unacceptable? Shambles? Come on, get a grip on reality. Pompey at home was a shambles; the goal we conceded against Accrington was unacceptable. This was disappointing, anger-inducing and an anti-climax after a good week, but for heaven’s sake, let’s have a bit of perspective. I even read on social media last night that the new signings haven’t improved the team, after we’ve beaten Plymouth, Morecambe, Oxford and Sunderland, and taken a point from Wycombe, since adding to the squad. It genuinely astounds me the reaction from some people who I actually have time and respect for, it really does.
As for me, I’m going to crack on with some real work now, disappointed and angry and nothing and nobody in particular. A really good evening was ruined by football last night; my nephews first game, the incredible gesture from blog reader Andrew before the game that strengthened my resolve to keep doing what I do. Genuinely, I’ve never felt better going into a game, and despite more possession, shots, clear-cut chances and everything, we’re still looking over our shoulder.
Still, at least none of us were carried out of the ground on a stretcher, and maybe that should give everyone a little perspective.
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Doncaster game. General show of low energy and lack of enthusiasm plus constant back-passing and passing across the field to no real purpose, indecision on the ball, poor penetration of the opposition defence, farting around passing in the Doncaster box, inability to loft balls into the box ,especially to take effective corners, no real threatening link up between forwards with the best Lincoln attacking forward a full-back! Oh and I nearly forgot to mention that we lost against one of the worst, if not THE worst, sides in the division. Apart from all this, as Gary comments, a creditable performance from the Imps.