After 6 months of waiting since our last league fixture against Stevenage at home, we finally get to watch some competitive football at the Alexandra Stadium this afternoon (even if it’s only via the iFollow service). The visitors are fellow League 1 side Lincoln City in the first round of the Carabao Cup with both teams looking at matching last season’s efforts in the competition of making the second round (ourselves beaten by Aston Villa and the Imps losing to Everton).
Last Season:
Last season saw the Imps finish in 16th position in League 1 in their first season back in the 3rd tier following promotion under the Cowley brothers. The management duo would move on to Huddersfield Town a month after the season started with Michael Appleton taking charge a couple of weeks later. The club would reach the second round of the Carabao Cup (as previously mentioned) but would be eliminated in the 1st Round of the FA Cup against Ipswich Town and the group stage of the EFL Trophy in a group that also contained Doncaster Rovers, Manchester United’s youngsters and Rotherham United.
Transfers:
Lincoln have brought in 11 new faces this summer as goalkeepers Ethan Ross and Alex Palmer [I’m having some flashbacks to last season’s opener with this one] have joined from Colchester United and West Bromwich Albion respectively, defenders Lewis Montsma, Adam Jackson, Joe Walsh and Timothy Eyoma have joined from FC Dordrecht, Hibernian, MK Dons and Spurs respectively (the last one on loan), midfielders James Jones, Conor McGrandles and Liam Bridcutt have come in from the Alex, MK Dons and Nottingham Forest with forwards Theo Archibald and Callum Morton (loan) joining from Macclesfield Town and West Brom.
They have also seen 15 players leave the club permanently with left-back Ben Coker has joined Stevenage for the season on loan.
Head-to-Head:
Alex Wins: 34
Lincoln Wins: 39
Draws: 30
Biggest Alex Win: 8-1 at Gresty Road in December 1931
Biggest Lincoln Win: 11-1 at Sincil Bank in September 1951
Last Meeting:
Crewe Alexandra 2-1 Lincoln City, 26th December 2018
Second-half goals from Chris Porter and current Lincoln midfielder James Jones gave the Alex a 2-goal lead with Harry Anderson adding a second-half stoppage-time consolation.
Alex: Garratt; Ng (c), Ray, Nolan, Pickering; Jones, Wintle, Green (Ainley 81); Bowery, Porter (Nicholls 90), Kirk (Miller 90)
City: Vickers; Eardley, Bostwick, Shackell, Toffolo; Pett (Rhead 69), O’Connor, Frecklington, Andrade (McCartan 40), Anderson; Akinde (Gordon 77)
Played for Both:
The following players have been contracted to both teams:
Goalkeepers: Joe Anyon, Ross Etheridge, David Felgate, Don Footitt, Andy Gorton, Dean Greygoose, Bruce Grobbelaar, Jerry Lowery, Stuart Naylor, Tom Poskett
Defenders: Thierry Audel, Darren Carr, Mark Foran, Geoff Hudson, Mark McCarrick, Adie Moses, George Page, Alan Sheehan, Julian Watts, Ashley M Westwood
Midfielders: Clive Evans, Fred Eyre, James Jones, Aidan Murphy, Stefan Oakes, Michael O’Connor, David Ridings, James Stothert
Forwards: Horace Brindley, Wilf Edwards, Anthony Elding, Rod Fletcher, Fred Haycock, Merfyn Jones, Eric Littler, Jim Mackey, Allan Mansley, Vadaine Oliver, Greg Pearson, Robert Roberts
Officials:
The officials for this game have been announced here with Scott Oldham the referee, Andrew Hendley and Joe Clark are his assistants with Lisa Rashid the fourth official. Here are the Crewe games that have been refereed by Oldham in the previous 5 years:
- Crewe Alexandra 2-1 Rotherham United (4th November 2017, FA Cup) – Walker, Ainley
- Morecambe 0-1 Crewe Alexandra (21st November 2017) – Ng
- Northampton Town 2-0 Crewe Alexandra (3rd November 2018)
- Crewe Alexandra 1-0 Cheltenham Town (18th January 2020) – Ng
Opposition View:
I asked Vital Lincoln City for their thoughts going into the game and looking at the season ahead – NOTE: These replies were sent before Palmer and Morton arriving yesterday.
How would you describe last season for the Imps?
Probably the most bizarre in my lifetime! First of all, we had the issues that everyone in League One faced with regard to the disruption caused by the Bolton and Bury fiasco, then Autumn monsoons flooding the ground, and finally COVID to top it all off. Oh yeah in the middle of all that we lost arguably our most successful management team in the history of the club just a few weeks into the season.
It was a breathless rollercoaster at times with dire away form and thrilling home wins against the likes of Peterborough and a memorable 5-3 versus Ipswich.
Personally I’m delighted with last season. Going forward we have a highly respected coach, popular boardroom members with integrity and despite the shock of losing The Cowleys most fans are cautiously excited (is that a thing) about the 180-degree change of direction The Appleton era holds for us.Are there any players that you are missing from this game?Captain Liam Bridcutt is hamstrung for a few weeks. He is one of our few highly experienced players with experience at a higher level so he will be a big miss. A few players have niggles and new centre half Jackson is touch and go also with a hammy. Obviously been doing too many sprints after the COVID lay off. Right-back Aaron Lewis is on international duty with Wales. Winger Theo Archibald has only just signed and isn’t physically fit enough yet.
You will be delighted to know that Jonah looks fit though and will be straining at the leash against his former club.
What is the position that you think needs strengthening before the transfer window shuts?
Numerically we only have one keeper but Ethan Ross has looked solid pre-season so I’m not unduly concerned short term about that. Upfront we haven’t replaced Tyler Walker with a prolific goal scorer. That said it is no coincidence we have been heavily linked with the loan signings of West Brom. pair Alex Palmer, a goalkeeper, and striker Callum Morton so don’t be surprised if both those boxes are ticked before Saturday.
What would be the team that you would pick for the game if you were in charge?
Allowing for known/suspected injuries and NOT allowing for incoming signings I would say Ross in nets. A back four of Eyoma (on loan from Spurs), centre-halves of Montsma (new signing from Dutch football) and Walsh with Melbourne at LB. Edun may hold in midfield with Jones and Grant looking to add flair. I would go with tried and trusted Anderson over Elbouzedi on right-wing, young former Hammer Anthony Scully floating around and Tom Hopper as the recognised striker.
Who is the danger man for yourselves?
Tricky one this as we have virtually a new side. Antony Scully was signed in January from West Ham so I’ve seen a bit of him; also during our pre-season streamed matches. He is a real live wire and proper pest, he pops up all over the final third including decent positions in the box and has the knack of making things happen so I have high hopes for him.
What would be a successful season for Lincoln this term?
Mid-table establishment, decent football (a few away wins would be welcome!) and promising signs of development from our many new, young exciting prospects. There are no unreasonable expectations or pressure on the players this year.
