MATCHWATCH : Lincoln City (a)

[Sutekh]

When : Saturday December 21 2024, 12.30pm
Where : Sincil Bank, Lincoln, LN5 8LD
Capacity : 10,780

More or less exactly 1 year to the day Reading played out a 1-1 draw at Sinclair Bank and now it’s back up there for another pre-Christmas bash.

Lincoln have hit a bit of a poor run with no wins in their last 6 league games and managing just 3 draws including throwing away a 2-0 lead at Huddersfield last time out to draw 2-2. However they have 28 points and could climb above Reading with a win so do have a fairly decent team that can cause problems.

Threat to watch is former Reading youth striker Ben House who is leading goal scorer with 5 strikes, he’s partnered up front with Danny’s son and Sheff Wed loanee, Bailey Cadamarteri who’s hit 4 so for once it’s the strikers that need to be tamed.

Reading should have a similar look to their options as for the Blackpool game though Mbengue may miss out through concussion protocols.

Referee

Adam Herczeg

Previously

07 Nov 24 > Reading 1-1 Bristol Rovers

Historically

Twelve seasons shared with our friends from Lincolnshire so far and overall the northerners have the edge by one win overall. In Lincoln the record is pretty with 3 wins compared to 5 for the Imps. It has been the scene of 4-0 and 5-1 thumpings though so a tricky place if you aren't in the right frame of mind or organised properly. Generally though, draws are the order of the day between these two teams.

How to follow the game

1. Get a ticket and travel
2. Red button and/or the NOW app
3. Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
4. Ring/text a mate for updates
5. Use a RoyalsTV subscription
6. BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)

[Mid Sussex Royal]

As well as Mbengue I think Elliott is a doubt and Smith sits this one out through suspension.

[Clyde1998]

As well as Mbengue I think Elliott is a doubt and Smith sits this one out through suspension.

Not holding out much hope with that, especially if Dorsett is injured too (along with our pre-existing group).

Team could be something like:
Pereira
Craig - Bindon - Holzman - Garcia
Knibbs - Wing - Savage
Campbell - Wareham - Camara

Not convinced Camara’s fully fit either.

[tidus_mi2]

They're in bad form but with injuries/suspensions and uncertainty of what effect Selles leaving has on the players after getting dicked by Blackpool, I have no idea how this is going to go.

[Royals and Racers]

Don’t think Smith is suspended - rule is 5 bookings BEFORE game 19 and Saturday was game 19, so he’s ok until 10 before match 32.

[Snowflake Royal]

They're in bad form but with injuries/suspensions and uncertainty of what effect Selles leaving has on the players after getting dicked by Blackpool, I have no idea how this is going to go.

When did one bad result become bad form?

Our recent record is DWDWDL.

And at least two of those fldraws were good away results.

[Snowflake Royal]

With injuries, suspensions, Hunt bedding in and this being away to a potential PO rival, any point here is a good result.

Our away form is improved recently, but it's not been great other than that for years.

I'm not very concerned about Holzman or Garcia starting, but Wareham will struggle, and Camara doesn't seem up to it sadly. Where is Akande?

I think I'd rather throw Rushesha or Senga into midfield than Camara at LW right now.

There's always Holzman RB, Craig midfield and Dean CB too. No pace at CB in that case though.

Lots of options, none standout.

[Sutekh]

Dorsett is out until mid January. Smith will be suspended for 1 game as the discipline rules are “up to and including” the 19th league game.

Presume Wareham will lead the line (hopefully like he did at Exeter). Never thought binning House was too much of an issue, but turns out in keeping him that he’d have more than got his chance here and certainly would have frustrated Lincoln for this one

[tidus_mi2]

They're in bad form but with injuries/suspensions and uncertainty of what effect Selles leaving has on the players after getting dicked by Blackpool, I have no idea how this is going to go.

When did one bad result become bad form?

Our recent record is DWDWDL.

And at least two of those fldraws were good away results.

They're in bad form, as in, Lincoln.

[mikey_1871]

If Smith is out then I'd play Knibbs up top rather than Wareham. Worked ok at Stevenage

[Royals and Racers]

Dorsett is out until mid January. Smith will be suspended for 1 game as the discipline rules are “up to and including” the 19th league game.

Presume Wareham will lead the line (hopefully like he did at Exeter). Never thought binning House was too much of an issue, but turns out in keeping him that he’d have more than got his chance here and certainly would have frustrated Lincoln for this one

Where does it say “ up to and including “ 19th game ? Everything i have seen says before the 19th game.

[Sutekh]

Dorsett is out until mid January. Smith will be suspended for 1 game as the discipline rules are “up to and including” the 19th league game.

Presume Wareham will lead the line (hopefully like he did at Exeter). Never thought binning House was too much of an issue, but turns out in keeping him that he’d have more than got his chance here and certainly would have frustrated Lincoln for this one

Where does it say “ up to and including “ 19th game ? Everything i have seen says before the 19th game.

Follow the link for the English language PDF under the useful resources section at the bottom of the page at

https://thebootroom.thefa.com/football- ... essentials

it's in the relevant column header in the table on page 5.

[Snowflake Royal]

They're in bad form but with injuries/suspensions and uncertainty of what effect Selles leaving has on the players after getting dicked by Blackpool, I have no idea how this is going to go.

When did one bad result become bad form?

Our recent record is DWDWDL.

And at least two of those fldraws were good away results.

They're in bad form, as in, Lincoln.

Sorry tidus, barely functional at the moment.

[Silver Fox]

Smith didn't get booked on Saturday, why would he now be suspended?

[morganb]

Smith didn't get booked on Saturday, why would he now be suspended?

https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2024/d ... blackpool/

The next 10 minutes was relatively even, both sides forcing dangerous cross but unable to connect. Smith and Garcia both received yellow cards as The Royals in the efforts to bring us back level. On 59 minutes it looked like Blackpool might put the game out of sight, as Apter charged through on goal but his tame effort was relatively easy for Pereira to collect.

The yellow was showing on the scoreboard in the ground at the time and this has also been discussed in the Blackpool match thread - apparently it was for handball

The suspension would be for 5 yellows by the 19th match (also discussed elsewhere)

However the BBC match report does not show a yellow for Smith and I've not seen referenced to him being suspended anywhere so I guess time will tell

[Dulwich Royal]

The EFL website is showing Smith on 4 yellow cards

[Snowflake Royal]

I think I'd settle on

.....................Pereira
Holzman, Dean, Bindon, Garcia
.......................Craig
..............Wing.........Savage
..Campbell........................ Knibbs
....................Wareham*

*Smith if not suspended.

The weakest point is LW if we have to move Knibbs to cover Elliott being out. I think Dean should perform better at CB and Holzman at RB than Camara or Tuma would at LW. And we know Craig is best in midfield, so I'd rather shuffle him into midfield for Elliott than have to bring in Camara to free up Knibbs. Garcia should be ok at LB.

[Crowbar6753]

I think I'd settle on

.....................Pereira
Holzman, Dean, Bindon, Garcia
.......................Craig
..............Wing.........Savage
..Campbell........................ Knibbs
....................Wareham*

*Smith if not suspended.

The weakest point is LW if we have to move Knibbs to cover Elliott being out. I think Dean should perform better at CB and Holzman at RB than Camara or Tuma would at LW. And we know Craig is best in midfield, so I'd rather shuffle him into midfield for Elliott than have to bring in Camara to free up Knibbs. Garcia should be ok at LB.

100% agreed on Craig, he is our best DM and it free's up Wing to move further up the pitch to create chances. I think Abrefa may be back pretty soon with Yids not far behind so this should resolve our RB issues not there have been to many as Craig has been very good opinion.

[Crowbar6753]

I think I'd settle on

.....................Pereira
Holzman, Dean, Bindon, Garcia
.......................Craig
..............Wing.........Savage
..Campbell........................ Knibbs
....................Wareham*

*Smith if not suspended.

The weakest point is LW if we have to move Knibbs to cover Elliott being out. I think Dean should perform better at CB and Holzman at RB than Camara or Tuma would at LW. And we know Craig is best in midfield, so I'd rather shuffle him into midfield for Elliott than have to bring in Camara to free up Knibbs. Garcia should be ok at LB.

100% agreed on Craig, he is our best DM and it free's up Wing to move further up the pitch to create chances. I think Abrefa may be back pretty soon with Yids not far behind so this should resolve our RB issues not there have been to many as Craig has been very good in my opinion.

[Royals and Racers]

Smith plays !!!