This will be the first time the end-of-month article comes five days before the end of the month, almost certainly.
September wasn’t the busiest, or the best of months, with just four games for City. It started badly, losing 2-0 at Cambridge, and it ended on a sour note losing 2-1 at home to Doncaster. In the middle of that were two performances the fans loved; the excellent win against Derby County and that bizarre game at Bristol Rovers.
In total, the Imps played four games this month; we scored 9 goals, conceded 7, kept a single clean sheets and picked up six league points. We lost the one cup game, but are still in a strong position to get out of the group in the Papa John’s Trophy.
Here are the best of the performers and performances, as well as some stats that went down well last month.
Player of the Month – Jack Diamond (7.83)
There’s no doubt who stood out this month; Jack Diamond. He struggled, as everyone did, at Cambridge but was excellent against Derby County and impressed again Bristol Rovers with goals and (semi) assists. His pace and flair have the power to get supporters off their seats, and his capture looks masterful by the recruitment team.
Jack Diamond is the sort of player you have to have if you’re playing 4-3-3; a natural winger who can come inside, run the channels as well as the flank, and make something happen from nothing. His penalties were both assured and calm as well, proving he has a cool head on his shoulders. I’m excited to see what he does from here and judging by his 7.83 average ratings, you are too.
Previous Winners
August – Carl Rushworth (7.26)
Individual Performance of the Month – Jack Diamond (Bristol Rovers A) 9.00
Three goals and an assist; it had shades of Anthony Scully at Cambridge last season, which is refreshing, seeing as we lost the former West Ham man this summer. Diamond was in great form, scoring his hattrick from his only three shots on target. He made eight dribbles, six of which were successful, delivered five crosses and had six touches in the penalty area; t all adds up to him being a constant thorn in the side of The Gas, one they just couldn’t handle.
Previous Winners
August – Jordan Wright (Barrow A) 8.7
Team Performance of the Month – Derby County (H) – 7.54
There was never really any doubt, even if we did score six away from home a couple of days later. Beating Derby at home in the league is a rarity for us; we haven’t been at the same level since the mid-eighties, and even then, we were outclassed. I thought we’d get hammered, but a great display from City not only earned a good result but helped give fans a little something to cling to in terms of the future.
The game had a bit of everything, and whilst it felt open, we still kept a clean sheet with some solid defending. Ben House took his chance with a calmness that suggests he’ll get more goals (such as two more four days later), whilst Jack Diamond injected some excitement into proceedings. Also, a word on Sean Roughan; the forgotten man is definitely back after a wonderful outing against Nathaniel Mendez-Laing.
Previous Winners
August – Oxford United (A) (7.29)
Wyscout Stats Leaders
To qualify for the stats, a player must have played at least 200 minutes for the Imps. Otherwise, someone coming on for ten minutes and getting a shot away would be right at the top of the ‘per 90’ stats! Incidentally, Jacob Davenport would have topped defensive actions per 90 with more than 15 for his outing against Doncaster.
Most Touches In The Box Per 90 – Jack Diamond (2.68) (Charles Vernam with 176 minutes just misses out, but he made 4.09)
August – Jordon Garrick (4.72)
Most Shots Per 90 – Ben House 2.23
August – Jordon Garrick (2.18)
Dribbles Per 90 – Jack Diamond 8.94
August – Jordon Garrick (5.44)
Goals & Assists Combined – Jack Diamond (5)
August -Ted Bishop (7)
Overall Pass Accuracy % – Tashan Oakley-Boothe (88.18%)
August – Tashan Oakley-Boothe (89.14%)
Crosses Per 90 – Sean Roughan (3.31)
August -Jamie Robson (1.16)
Successful Defensive Action Per 90 – TJ Eyoma (13.23)
August -Jamie Robson (13.62)
Aerial Duels Per 90 – Ben House 8.62
August -Tom Hopper (7.18)
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