Scouting Report: Lincoln City (H), 23 September 2017

Notts County are enjoying a purple patch at present, sitting second in League Two thanks to a four-game winning run, and eight unbeaten in all competitions.

Up next for the Magpies is a local derby with Lincoln City coming to Meadow Lane to try their luck against Kevin Nolan's well-drilled side.

Here is Chris's Scouting Report for this week.

History

Notts County and Lincoln City have met a total of 65 times in competitive matches over the years.

The first fixture took the place all the way back in November 1893, a Division Two game in Nottingham which resulted in an away win for the Imps.

The record currently stands at 34 wins for Notts, 15 defeats, and 16 draws.

The last game between the two took place on 13 April 2010, a 3-1 win at Meadow Lane with goals from Lee Hughes, Graeme Lee and Delroy Facey and a strike from Steven Lennon for the opposition.

Notts have won the last two meetings, with a draw prior to those and three defeats preceding that.

Run-down of their last six features

Saturday 19th August – Exeter City 1 Lincoln City 0

Saturday 26th August – Lincoln City 4 Carlisle 1

Saturday 2nd September – Lincoln City 0 Luton Town 0

Saturday 9th September – Stevenage 1 Lincoln City 2

Tuesday 12th September – Forest Green Rovers 0 Lincoln City 1

Saturday 16th September – Lincoln City 0 Mansfield Town 1

The Players – Fact Sheet

Highest Goal Scorers; Matt Green 3, Alex Woodyard 2, Oliver Palmer 2 and Billy Knott 2.

Persistent Foulers; Matt Green 1 red card and 1 yellow card, Neal Eardley 3 yellow cards, Sean Raggett 3 yellow cards and Michael Bostwick 2 yellow cards.

The Key Players

Matt Green is the most well-known threat that Lincoln City bolster within their squad, he’s a mobile striker and useful on the ball – some may consider him past his former best but he is a player that is able to cause concern within any League Two defence.

Despite the name Alex Woodyard is a very practical midfielder, he’s attacking minded but does have a bit of a temper. He’s pretty direct, likes to try to influence the tempo and adds a creative flair to The Imps midfield.

They also have the experienced Michael Bostwick who plays to a similar fashion as Alex Woodyard, however he offers a defence mind-set even when going forward – his ability to pass and carve open teams is something Notts should be mindful of at all times.

Style of Play, Strengths, and Weaknesses

Lincoln City like to play the passing game, usually it starts from the back and builds going forward. The majority of play tends to come from the flanks, and The Imps move the ball around very nicely even in limited space – they also deal very well with scrappy play often making the most of any opportunities that presents itself.

Like the majority of League Two teams, Lincoln prefer to play defensively but within an attacking mind-set.

They tend to commit plenty of players at the back, yet can break extremely well through a single player at any given moment. Their height offers them good options on goal, and is useful at the back when defending.

However, from a defensive point of view – they do not like pace or direct runs into areas whereby there’s plenty of space. Whilst struggling to defend on break, and even from set pieces or crosses.

This can force them to rush their own play, and has seen them give the ball away quite cheaply but they prefer to get the play back on the ground and ball to feet.

Positional wise they organise themselves very well when given time, yet in the moment or under heavy threat it can become a free-for-all. If allowed to play, Lincoln impress – they have the ability to deliver long throw ins and often shoot from distance if space isn’t available to them.

For Notts it will be about controlling the play, whilst building themselves from the back – the midfield will have to be grouped and prepared to make direct runs when chances occur. As opportunities will arise where the Magpies’ will be able to make chances pay from the open play.

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