At halftime, I got that killer emotion that I dread – hope. We’d got through 45 minutes; the wind would be in our favour, and we had a rocket throw-in that caused havoc. Surely it would now be our night? I think the West Ham supporters felt it as well, as they were much quieter after the break than before the game. Everything felt like it was set up for us to kick on and get something. Penalties? Sure, why not? I thought we could even nick a goal.
As you know, it didn’t turn out that way, but I think it’s a sign of how well we did that Moyes didn’t make any big changes; he didn’t blood a load of the kids. We were in the game throughout, always one touch from creating a decent chance, one run from getting in behind, one ball from splitting a multi-million-pound defence. I guess what we lacked was a striker, but that’s not news to anyone.
We weren’t bad, but as much as we were disciplined, so were the Hammers. Massive respect for Moyes and his team; they stuck to their task nicely, always afforded us respect, and didn’t underestimate us. There were one or two tasty tackles and a couple of moments where I felt the ball might break for us, but it didn’t.
When all is said and done, £170m of talent didn’t beat us with a wonder goal, slick build-up play, or even outright ability. They beat us from a set piece, the one threat they could offer that we face every single week. One set piece was not defended properly, and the Imps were out of the cup. Okay, it was scored by the Czech international captain rather than Luke Plange, but the outcome was the same.
In a league game, it’s frustrating. In a game where 11 players have given every ounce of energy they have, remaining organised and focused against illustrious opponents, it doesn’t quite have the same impact. Again, if you strip away the ceremony and occasion, we lost a game because of a poorly defended set piece. I don’t know which defender should have been there, but could you honestly claim any of them let the side down? I couldn’t.
After that I always felt there might be a goal for us, and young Dylan Duffy almost made a big name for himself with a stinging drive that Fabianski parried away. A late Ethan Hamilton free-kick was driven into the wall as we searched for a way back into a game few expected us to navigate in the first place, and perhaps the final whistle brought momentary disappointment at our failure to score. That’s not through a lack of trying, either. No strikers, and our xG was better than some of our league games this season.
It was frustrating that we didn’t get a chance to use Haks’ long throw at all in the opening stages of the second half. He came off, and within seconds, we got a throw he could have launched into the box. Luckily, Sean Roughan is almost as good, and he managed to get one onto the edge of the six-yard area. It’s a great weapon to have and something I once commented on when we played another team (I want to say Fleetwood, but I might be wrong).
It would be easy to say ‘credit this play’ or ‘kudos to that player’ here, but it would be really hard to put my hand on my heart and start singling players out. Still, I am going to do it because of the 11 last night; there were a couple that really stood out. Please do bear in mind that this is like me picking the shiniest bar of gold from the pile, as the entire team did the shirt proud.
Reeco Hackett was excellent, a real menace whenever he had the ball. I see shades of Brennan Johnson in him, the manner in which he carries the ball, and the little twists and flicks he does. I thought he was one who didn’t look out of place in terms of ability as well as effort, and he’s been a real find for us so far.
Sean Roughan may have slipped early, but he’s proving to be the star we thought he could be when he debuted three years ago. He’s strong, dogged, and isn’t afraid to put in a challenge or two. Mind you, I like the ‘all for one; spirit of the whole team – Roughan took a really heavy challenge, and moments later, Paudie exacted some revenge to collect his yellow card. Doubtless, Hammers fans thought ‘prick’ when that happened, just like I thought whenever Konstantinos Mavropanos (15) got on the ball.
Finally, Ethan Hamilton. What a monster he was in the middle of the park. He’s getting better with every game, complementing Ethan Erhahon in every way, and as a unit, they work so hard. I liked Hamilton’s positivity last night, his desire to drive forward, and his instinct to have a go from range. His arrival in the summer took a few by surprise, but he’s delivering every time he pulls on a Lincoln shirt.
That’s three, but it doesn’t really do the whole team justice. A forward line cobbled together from non-strikers. A defence facing players who cost fifty times more than our entire team. A midfield never truly overrun. 11 men who never stopped running, even when I seemed they had no more energy left to give. A team, a proper team.
I feel very odd pouring such effusive praise on a team after a defeat, but I think it is warranted. We’ve lost three on the spin now, and yet each time, I feel we’re moving in the right direction. We’re shackled in terms of our attacking options, and yet we’re still a decent team. I keep thinking of what might have been last night. What if Danny Mandroiu had been fit? What if one of Walker or House could have played? What if Alex Mitchell had been a foot further back when he stroked that ball home? All questions we can ask ourselves today, tomorrow, and maybe even in 20 years’ time because that is how long a game like this endures.
Now, onto Cheltenham on Saturday, an altogether different affair!
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