This afternoon we make the trip across the country to Blackpool.
Teams will be out around 1:45 pm, but what do we expect as Lincoln City supporters? Michael Skubala does like to tinker, but this is my suggested starting XI.
Goalkeeper
In goal, George Wickens starts. If he is fit, he is our number one. Zach Jeacock will not come in; there is no reason for it.
Wickens plays 46 games a season when available, and it really is that simple. There is no debate here; he is first choice and remains so unless something unforeseen happens.
Defence
At right back, I expect Tendayi Darikwa. Comments on the recent podcast suggested Dexter Lembikisa will be returning to Wolves, and his loan was only ever until January. With Adam Jackson out, Tom Hamer will not be used at right back. Tendayi is the captain, one of our most solid and reliable performers, and you know exactly what you are going to get from him week to week.
At left back, Adam Reach. For me, he has been one of the signings of the summer, alongside Sonny Bradley. It is interesting that the two players with huge Football League experience, both involved in Wycombe’s play-off run last season, are the ones who have made the big impression from the summer.
Alongside him on the left side of defence is Bradley, who leads like a captain, rarely puts a foot wrong, and offers a threat in both boxes.
Finally, Tom Hamer makes up a back four. Many of us predicted last season that he would step up and become a regular first-team player, and that is exactly what has happened. He is not a stand-in for Adam Jackson. When Jackson returns, he will have to fight hard for his place, because Tom Hamer is a very good defender at this level.
Midfield
In front of them, I expect us to stick with a 4-2-3-1, even though Blackpool operate with a back three. I do not think we will change shape to try to match them. Tom Bayliss and Conor McGrandles will sit as the double pivot.
McGrandles has been outstanding this season. There were questions last year about whether he was a six or an eight, but he has made that holding role his own and has been one of our most consistent performers.
Bayliss showed real quality on Tuesday night and was excellent throughout, so there is no reason to take him out.
Attack
Across the three behind the striker, it largely picks itself. Dom Jefferies will start and is likely to get around 60 minutes. He is not a player we need to nurse through games long term, but he is still building back to full fitness after surgery to correct an issue we knew about when we signed him. He is versatile, adds depth in midfield, and is exactly the player we hoped for once that issue was resolved.
In the middle of the three, Jack Moylan. Now he is fit, he picks himself. His energy, drive and link-up play, particularly with Reeco Hackett, give us something we have perhaps missed slightly in recent weeks. We are still third, so nothing has gone badly wrong, but he brings that spark and creativity that can turn games.
On the right, Reeco. Yes, it is left-footed on the right and right-footed on the left, but Rico showed on Saturday exactly why we do that when he cut inside and scored. You can always swap them during the game if the balance is not quite right, and that flexibility causes problems for opponents.
Up front, I am going with Freddie Draper for what would be appearance number 101. It could be any one of three, with Justin Obikwu and Rob Street also in contention, but Draper feels right for this game.
Blackpool have big, physical centre-backs, and this will be a tough, bruising afternoon. Freddie might not get many clear chances, and he might only come away with a five out of ten in the player ratings, but that will be because he has spent the afternoon battling, occupying defenders and doing the ugly work. That is exactly what we will need here.
Ian Evatt’s sides are always tough, physical and focused on marginal gains without the ball. He has done well wherever he has been, at Barrow, Bolton and now Blackpool, and this will not be an easy test.
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