If Michael wanted a response, he didn’t get it. Sadly, we came out and played exactly the same as we did in the first, at least in the opening stages. Take nothing away from Rochdale by the way, they were a committed bunch who scrapped for everything and in most instances, got what they deserved. They were quicker in the tackle, sharper cutting out balls and they definitely attacked with purpose and desire. Yes, I am disappointed, but we must also acknowledge when a side puts in a good shift. They won’t be accepting of us saying how bad we were without praising their own team and rightly so. If I was a Rochdale supporter tonight, I’d be proud of my team, but if you gave me the chance to swap places with them, I wouldn’t. I’ve been proud of this Lincoln team too many times to mention, and I haven’t felt this let down by them all season.
Anyway, the second half went off like the first, although I felt we did begin to show a bit more promise. We still looked easily penetrated though, and why we can’t win a defensive header is beyond me. They should have been 2-0 up on 55 minutes when McGrandles, one of three players I felt could take a little solace from his performance, headed off the line. Four minutes later Rochdale were mugged off by the referee when they should have had a stonewall penalty. I’ve watched it back, Edun on Humphrys (I think) and the foul is akin to a wrestling move, with no contact on the ball at all. It seemed like the ‘luck’ we needed to kick on, and within a minute or so we had at least something to cheer.
I’ve been critical, as you’ll already know, but there cannot be anything other than superlatives laid at the feet of young Morgan Rogers, the only other outfield player I think can take credit from his performance. His goal illuminated a dull and dire afternoon, the wonderful combination with Callum Morton leading to yet another finish which may trouble the goal of the season awards. He’s making a habit of it and whilst his trickery and inventiveness doesn’t always pay dividends, when it does, it is lovely to watch.
I got the customary ‘get in’ text from my Dad, him doubtless hoping that we could go on and win the game as I was. For five minutes, I felt we were in with a chance too. A quick break saw Johnson get a little space and his thunderous drive drew a wonder save from the Rochdale keeper. Many supporters probably smelled blood at that point, but rather pessimistically I text Dad back with ‘I still think we’ll lose’, because we just were not at it at all.
I can’t even describe the action after their goal, because as yet another sloppy bit of defending cost us, I pelted my notepad and pen across the room and went into a sulk I haven’t come out of. Sure, we pressed forward late on and could have maybe pulled level, but did we deserve it? Not a chance. We got what we deserved from that game, nothing at all. I’m not going to talk about our late spell, because it is an illusion. A tired Rochdale had to sit back and let us have the ball, but we didn’t pour into them, did we? Instead, on 87 minutes, I saw a midfield player turn in his attacking half and start that long, arduous journey of going all the way back to the keeper.
From today’s outing, I felt Rogers had some credit, McGrandles too, and Alex Palmer was outstanding. His saves kept the score away from the realms of 5-1, and that is no exaggeration. Other than that, not one player can claim to have had a good game. Bramall was the scapegoat at half time, coming off for Scully, but he wasn’t the worst player on the pitch, not by some way. For periods, we looked like nine or ten strangers trying hard to work out where each other would be. As I said, credit to Rochdale for forcing that to a degree, but if we’d played half as well as we did against Crewe last weekend, we would have won the game. It’s that simple.
I’m told after the game, Michael has said more or less the same, we deserved nothing and Liam Bridcutt will likely play on Tuesday. That’s a big plus for us, I keep saying how we have lost just two league games with him in the side and I think he’ll firm us up, offer that porous defence some respite and help us to cement a play-off place, but as Michael said (before anyone jumps on me for being negative), we’re not an automatic promotion side and I don’t think the captain coming back is going to be enough to see us snatch a spot in the top two.
Doubtless, some will have stopped reading by now, probably upset with my seemingly negative outlook on the afternoon’s proceedings. I have to stress I have been cutting in terms of this game, not the whole team. Not one of those players has regularly let us down and some have been a cornerstone of the form which has seen us rise to where we are. I wouldn’t hide behind the injuries, but we have lost Walsh, Bridcutt and Grant at a time when we needed the key players fit. We have lost the experience and leadership, something I don’t think was evident today, and of course that isn’t ideal, but it isn’t why we lost today. I don’t even think this is ‘the slump’ continuing either, because Ipswich first half and Crewe were both very good performances.
I’m proud of my football team this season and I will remain so if we finish second six or tenth. When the first ball was kicked, I felt anything top half would be a massive achievement and I stand by that right now. It would be disappointing if we finished below seventh, which when you consider it is ridiculous given where we were a year ago. The progress the team has made is incredible and as a fanbase, we must stay focused on the bigger picture. Today was awful, I won’t shy away from saying that, but the season as a whole has still been incredible and I’d rather have awful performances when we’re third and definitely moving forward than I would have a plucky win with 12 games left and still being adrift at the bottom of the table.
This isn’t ‘82/83’ all over again, because that was a lack of ambition in the board, something we don’t have. It isn’t ‘06/07’ all over again because that was a side fighting teams of similar stature in the basement division. This season is without comparison, because of what has come before and how we have been forced to adapt and when the dust settles in May, wherever we happen to be, we can be proud of the team and confident we’re heading in the right direction.
It might just take a few IPA’s and a night’s sleep to see that clearly again.
You must be logged in to post a comment.