Last night City once again made the headlines and knocked out Premier League opposition away from home in a cup competition.
Many expected us to give Sheffield United a real good game last night, me included. Loads of fans were optimistic, predicting us to beat the recently promoted side, but in reality lots of those predictions were hope rather than logic. Sheffield United may not be the the best team in the top division, but they still have so much quality in their squad. Cameron Archer, who recently signed at Bramall Lane for a fee of around £20 Million, started up front with Ollie McBurnie for example. There’s quality in their ranks and it was always going to be a tough game for the Imps.
Mark Kennedy made a few changes to his team, but with the quality in depth we have it didn’t worry me at all. TJ Eyoma returned to the starting eleven after missing the last few matchday squads, and it was a first start for Alex Mitchell in the middle of the back three. Lukas Jensen kept his place in goal, despite Jordan Wright being ready on the bench to come in, while Sean Roughan started on the left side of the defence. Lasse Sorensen got a well earned rest, so Jack Burroughs moved to the right and Jaden Brown came in on the left hand side. Ethan Erhahon kept his place in the midfield, captaining the side in Paudie’s absence, while Ali Smith came in alongside him. Tyler Walker picked up an injury in training so the front three remained unchanged with Reeco Hackett and Danny Mandroiu supporting Ben House.
We’ve made a habit of this over the last few years, we rise to the big occasion and we always leave feeling proud of the lads. We battled really well down at Southampton, and we’ve done the same in a few games against Everton in the past few years too. I thought we’d do well last night, but without our skipper, it would be tough. The young back three worried me, but they soon all proved me wrong.
I’m not going to write all of the match events, because I don’t feel like I need to. There weren’t many nearly moments for both sides, and bar a run from Ted Bishop that we all thought was going to turn into a goal, there wasn’t much action involving the Sheffield United keeper, and even Jensen for that matter. We were excellent defensively last night, every single player knew their jobs and executed it perfectly. The eleven starters worked their socks off while they were on the pitch, and then all five subs came on and did the exact same. We went to Bramall Lane with a game plan and everyone played their part in that, not least the fans.
I was in the packed out away end last night and it was one of my best moments supporting this club. The players were backed from minute one and to have a winning penalty shootout in front of our end was a moment many won’t forgot, I certainly won’t!
The first half was quite scrappy, although the ball spent quite a lot of time in play. We tried to break up Sheffield United’s attacking play and Erhahon was the key part of that. If our Scottish midfielder keeps playing like that, he won’t be a Lincoln City player for long, I can almost guarantee the Sheffield United players would’ve been thinking about how good he was as they travelled home last night. He was all over the pitch last night. He’s the Liam Bridcutt replacement we’ve been craving for ages, but I’d go as far as saying he’s better than our former captain.
The young back three impressed me. TJ could’ve easily been MotM and he’s certainly given Mark a selection headache ahead of the weekend, he’s had a tough few weeks not being selected but he’s come back into the side and made a real statement with his performance. What also impressed me was his adaptability to move from the right hand side to the left hand side of the back three, he did great on both sides and against this level of opposition that’s an impressive thing to be able to adapt to in the middle of a game in a high pressure situation.
Alex Mitchell got his Imps career off to the best start possible. He’s played two games, although only one start, and everyone already loves him. His performance last night was the real reason why, he’s like a younger version of Jacko, he’ll put his head and body on the line for the team and he just has something about him. He looks like he loves defending and they are the sort of players a team needs. Jackson, O’Connor, Mitchell, Roughan and Eyoma – that’s an incredible selection of central defenders.
Let’s get onto the shootout then, because that’s what we will all remember for years to come. First off, I hope Adam Davies enjoys his time on the bench for Sheffield United this season, the pure lack of sportsman ship from him was absolutely laughable. Fortunately Lukas didn’t need his bottle and embarrassed Davies in front of a packed out away end. I don’t get angry at much, but Davies throwing away that bottle really got under my skin, and I’m glad we sent Sheffield United packing just for that reason. I just hope we end up playing against him next season in the Championship!
Moving away from that, I have to give credit to every single player that stepped up for us last night. Lukas will get all the praise, and rightly so, but it’s important to recognise the players that stepped up. Lasse, Hamilton and Danny all tucked away their efforts – with Ted having his saved. All four of them can come away with their heads held up high that they chose to take them. Lukas was the hero though, saving two penalties even after the bottle incident and the moment Egan skied his penalty is one he won’t forgot, and neither will all the Imps in the away end.
Our reward was West Ham at home, which will be great for the club. European champions at Sincil Bank, what an occasion that will be. I’m not getting ahead of myself, but just imagine if we did it, two Premier League teams knocked out in a row. We stand a chance, we always do, because we’re Lincoln City.
AllLincoln MOTM: Lukas Jensen (It couldn’t have been anyone else, could it?)