Lincoln City head to Ashton Gate looking to build on Saturday’s win at Preston North End, but predicting our starting XI is becoming increasingly difficult.
Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw have already shown they are prepared to spring a surprise, whether that means a different midfield combination, a change at wing-back or an unexpected choice through the middle. Saturday was another example, with Rob Street starting up front and Tom Bayliss coming into midfield.
There is also the Michael Skubala factor. He knows many of these players; he knows how we like to play and he will have a good idea of what to expect from us. That does not necessarily mean we change what we do, but it does mean we probably have to execute it particularly well.
With that in mind, this is the Lincoln City XI I think could start against Bristol City. Remember, if you download our app, you can predict the XI and see how you do against other users!
George Wickens
There is very little debate here. George Wickens remains my choice in goal and, barring anything unexpected, should continue at Ashton Gate. We have built the side around physicality, and Wickens fits that profile perfectly, while Joe Gauci provides serious competition without currently dislodging him.
Daniel Oyegoke
Daniel Oyegoke gets my vote on the right. He was involved in the pre-match press conference, which can sometimes point towards a player starting, although that particular theory has not exactly proved reliable this season.
He started at Preston, but came off injured, and I think he could now return at Ashton Gate.
Andrei Coubiș
Andrei Coubiș is getting better with every game. His long throw has already become another weapon for us, but there is much more to him than that. He is big, strong and athletic, exactly the sort of profile we want across the defensive line.
Bristol City carry a significant set-piece threat, so having Coubiș in the side also gives us another major physical presence when defending dead balls.
Sonny Bradley
Sonny Bradley should continue in the middle of the back three. Any perceived lack of pace becomes far less significant when he has athletic defenders either side of him and when we defend in the manner we do.
His experience and physical presence could also be particularly valuable against a Bristol City side who will offer their own threat from crosses and set pieces.
Deji Elerewe
Deji Elerewe has gone from being one of the players we maybe wondered about at the beginning of the campaign to somebody whose name almost feels permanently printed on the team sheet. His performances have been outstanding, and he was excellent again at Preston, with his pace and athleticism complementing Bradley perfectly.
We have Ryley Towler waiting for an opportunity and Tom Hamer still to return from injury, but Elerewe has made himself extremely difficult to leave out.
Adam Reach
Adam Reach starts on the left. His performances since arriving have been outstanding, and the numbers behind them only underline just how influential he has been.
He also brings enormous energy to the role. With Tendayi Darikwa unavailable, Reach has increasingly taken on some of the responsibility for getting out quickly and pressing from the wing-back position.
Conor McGrandles
I have a suspicion Conor McGrandles could be a surprise omission, but I’m still putting him in my XI. He wasn’t quite at his best at Preston, and there have been one or two occasions this season when things that came off naturally in League One have been more difficult against Championship opposition.
That doesn’t change how important he remains to us. McGrandles has been excellent for much of the campaign and should continue to play a major role throughout the season.
Yunus Konak
Alongside McGrandles, I’m going with Yunus Konak. I think there will come a point when Konak is starting virtually every game for us, with the only question being how quickly he reaches the speed and intensity demanded by the way Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw want the midfield to operate.
There will be rotation involving Ivan Varfolomeev and Tom Bayliss as well, but Konak has the attributes to become a major player for us as the season progresses.
Ben House
There shouldn’t be much debate around Ben House. He works, presses and makes life uncomfortable for defenders, which could be particularly useful against a Bristol City side who are not especially keen on dominating possession themselves.
Playing at home against us means there will inevitably be spells when they are expected to have the ball, and that is where House becomes particularly useful. He will chase defenders, close passing lanes and make sure Bristol City do not have comfortable possession at the back.
Freddie Draper
Freddie Draper starts through the middle. Rob Street started at Preston and Mikkel Ladefoged will get opportunities, but I think we need the main man at Ashton Gate.
Michael Skubala knows exactly how we want to play, so there will be very few surprises tactically. We simply have to execute that game plan as well as possible, and at the moment Draper gives us the best chance of doing that. His Championship performances have generally been strong even while he was waiting for his first goal, and scoring at Preston should give him another lift.
Chiedozie Ogbene
Chiedozie Ogbene completes the front three. The balance between House, Draper and Ogbene gives us three completely different threats, with House pressing relentlessly without the ball, Draper providing the physical battle through the middle and Ogbene offering the pace and direct running that can stretch a defence.
We have shown already that our attacking style can cause Championship defenders problems. Ogbene running directly at Bristol City’s back line gives us another way of unsettling them.
Predicted Lincoln City XI
George Wickens; Daniel Oyegoke, Andrei Coubiș, Sonny Bradley, Deji Elerewe, Adam Reach; Conor McGrandles, Yunus Konak; Ben House, Freddie Draper, Chiedozie Ogbene.
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