Michael Appleton has praised Lincoln City’s promotion and explained how our playing style has evolved since his time in charge.
In our final article on his interview with EFL Debate’s Gab Sutton, our former manager reflected on the approach that has taken City forward. He also made clear how pleased he was to see the club reach the Championship.
Michael’s best Lincoln side could be excellent to watch, with technical quality and talented loan players helping us reach the 2021 play-off final. The team that eventually secured promotion developed its own identity, something he recognises as an important part of the club’s progress.
“I heard Liam talking about the club as recently as, I think, the weekend on talkSPORT, and him saying that the club had found a way of playing that suits them.
“In one of Michael’s seasons they were super aggressive, on the front foot, pressing really high. Now it’s a little bit different, a bit more of a lower block, but come and beat us, hard to beat. Not as expansive, more than happy with the opposition having the ball rather than having the ball themselves.”
That description will be familiar to anyone who watched our September victories at Preston and Bristol City. We were organised, competitive and capable of making decisive moments count, qualities that have helped us adjust to Championship football under Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw.
It also touches on something I keep returning to: having less possession does not automatically mean having less control. There is value in knowing what you do well and making opponents work to disrupt it.
“He basically came out and said the reality is the season under myself only really happened because of relationships that we had with some of the top Premier League clubs,” added Michael.
“The way we wanted to play was exactly how those Premier League clubs wanted their players to fit in.”
Those relationships helped bring us players such as Brennan Johnson and Morgan Rogers, but replacing that quality was always going to be difficult. Building a successful side means finding an approach that works with the players available, and City’s subsequent progress has involved adapting.
“They evolved, I evolved, and I was buzzing that they got promoted last year. It’s a top, top club with top people.
“Even though at times it was difficult, I had three really, really good years there, and I still speak to so many people there.”
It is good to hear that affection remains. His final season was difficult, but his contribution to our development deserves recognition, and he clearly takes pleasure in seeing the club move forward.
For more on his time at Lincoln and his wider coaching career, I would recommend listening to the full interview.
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