What is Lincoln City’s strongest XI right now? That was the topic of conversation on this week’s Stacey West Podcast.
With everyone available and a full week to prepare for a winnable game at Sincil Bank, how will the Imps line up? A 3-4-3 gives the Imps room to push both wing-backs forward and still keep three centre-halves behind the ball.
There will be afternoons when an extra attacker is worth switching to a back four. For a side that spends long spells without possession, this shape gives City a front three that can press and enough cover behind them when the press is beaten.
So if we’re saying 3-4-3 is our strongest formation, which pieces fit in the best? This is the conclusion Chris and ben came to on the podcast.
George Wickens (goalkeeper)
Wickens is the clearest selection in the side. There were questions in the summer about how many of the promotion squad would make the step up, and his performances have made a good case that City already have a Championship goalkeeper.
His penalty save against Burnley came with the game at 4-1, but his saves after the break at Loftus Road mattered more to the state of the game, keeping City level while QPR were on top. That ability to keep the score down through a difficult spell is especially valuable to the Imps at this level.
Deji Elerewe (right centre-back)
Elerewe has started every league game and has one of the lowest rates of expected goals against in the squad while on the pitch. The number reflects the work of the whole side, but holding up that well across a run of starts against different opposition makes him one of the first names on the teamsheet.
He’s comfortable on either side of the three and wins a high share of his duels. On the right, that gives City a centre-half who can deal with the first ball into the channel when Coubiș has pushed on. It also leaves room for a natural left-footer on the other side.
Sonny Bradley (centre-back)
Bradley has had a couple of tougher games, and his duel success rate is lower than some of his performances in the box might suggest. He still gets to plenty of first balls, and City’s expected goals against per 90 is lower with him on the pitch than it is for any other player in the squad.
The middle of the three is where his experience is most valuable. He can see what’s happening either side of him, organise the line and judge when it can step out. That matters when City have spent several minutes defending their own box and need everyone to move up together.
Ryley Towler (left centre-back)
Tom Hamer has a strong case for this place. He won just about everything in the air when he came on at QPR, and his duel numbers stand out. A fair share of those minutes have come at full-back, though, where the type of duel he’s asked to win is often different.
Towler’s left foot gives the back three better balance in possession. When the ball comes across from the right, he can open his body and play straight out to the wing-back. That matters in a side that wants to get up the pitch quickly, and Towler has grown into the role enough to merit a run there.
Andrei Coubiș (right wing-back)
Daniel Oyegoke has the pace and aggression to do the job, but Coubiș has the edge on what he’s shown so far. He’s made more defensive contributions per 90 and offers a threat going forward even when City can’t get him all the way to the byline.
Coubiș can put a good cross in from deeper on the right, and his long throw gets the ball straight into the box when City are struggling to play their way up the pitch. Those are two ways of getting service to the striker, and both can come from a player who still gives the side plenty defensively.
Adam Reach (left wing-back)
Reach’s Championship experience was never in question. The issue was whether he still had the legs to get up and down the flank at this level, and his sprint numbers per 90 have been among the strongest in the division. For a position that asks him to provide the width and get back into a five, that’s a fair answer.
Reach gets the nod ahead of Callum Elder because of what he gives City further forward. He can get outside the left forward and deliver early, and there’s always the chance of something spectacular if the ball drops to him in shooting range. With Ben House moving inside, there’s room for Reach to do both.
Yunus Konak (central midfield)
Konak leads the four central midfield options for defensive contributions per 90, and for the share of duels he wins. Ivan Varfolomeev offers some of the same qualities, but Konak has the stronger case at the moment. When a loose ball drops in midfield, Konak is the one City would want contesting it.
What he does after winning it is just as important. He’s willing to play forward early and take an opponent out of the game with one pass. When the Imps recover the ball and catch the opposition with players ahead of it, that gives the front three a chance to attack before the defence can get set.
Conor McGrandles (central midfield)
The red against West Ham and the early booking at QPR make McGrandles a less automatic pick than he might have been in August. He still brings something the younger midfielders benefit from alongside them. Both Konak and Varfolomeev have looked better with him there.
Tom Bayliss looks for more passes through the lines, which has its place when City need to open a team up. Alongside Konak, McGrandles gives the Imps someone who can win it back, make the simple pass and recognise when the side needs to keep the ball for a minute. That makes this the most balanced pairing.
Ben House (left forward)
House can start on the left and spend much of the game in the areas a number ten would occupy. With Reach keeping the width, House is free to get close to the striker, pick up second balls and get into the box when the cross comes in.
His work without the ball makes him particularly important to this side. He’ll get after a defender and make the next pass difficult, giving City a chance to win it back within sight of goal. For a team that spends as much time without possession as the Imps do, some of its best chances can start there.
Dom Jefferies (right forward)
Reeco Hackett creates more chances and can deliver an inswinging cross from the right. A 4-2-3-1 would give City room for both, with House in the middle. In a 3-4-3, Jefferies gets the nod because he can press alongside House and give City a runner in behind as soon as the ball is won.
His equaliser at Loftus Road showed the composure that goes with all that running. Jefferies can fill in across the pitch, but he’s doing some of his best work further forward. Starting on the right gives him licence to come inside when Coubiș goes past him.
Mikkel Ladefoged (centre-forward)
Freddie Draper is the hardest player to leave out. With House and Jefferies either side, the front three already has two players who will give defenders a difficult afternoon, and Ladefoged adds composure in the box. He’s averaging more shots and more touches in the area per 90 than Draper from fewer minutes, and his second-half brace against Burnley showed what he can do when City get the ball to him in there.
Draper can still have a big say from the bench. A centre-half who’s spent 70 minutes dealing with House and Jefferies closing down every pass is hardly going to welcome Draper coming on fresh. If City need a goal, there’s always the option of putting him alongside Ladefoged and giving those defenders two big lads to deal with.
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