Lincoln City manager Mark Kennedy has explained the tactical change he made at half time during the 2-2 draw with Northampton Town last night, which saw the Cobblers secure a point with the last kick of the game.
The Imps went in at half time a goal to the good after a stunning Reeco Hackett strike handed the visitors the advantage. Despite leading, Kennedy opted to replace defender Jaden Brown for attacker Tyler Walker and switch to a more traditional 4-4-2, a move which seemingly invited more pressure from the hosts.
Northampton dominated the second half, but Lincoln looked to have sealed the points when captain Paudie O’Connor doubled their lead in the 78th minute. However, Jon Brady’s team refused to buckle and pulled a goal back in the 86th minute through Louis Appere before Sam Hoskins netted for the second successive game deep into added time to earn his side their first point since returning to League One this season.
It was the least that the home side deserved, having enjoyed 65% possession and racking up 19 shots to Lincoln’s six. Speaking after the game, via Northampton Chronicle & Echo, Kennedy conceded that a share of the spoils was the right outcome on the night;
“I’m gutted, absolutely gutted, but you have to take the emotion away from the game and look at the bigger picture. You’re 15 seconds from being euphoric and there being high-fives and back slapping, and it would have been an amazing start to the season, but when I get away from that, and without sounding silly, I think it’s a good point on the road.
“It’s a good point after a good win at the weekend. We’ve had a tough start to the season with a lot of away games but, to be honest I was really impressed with them (Northampton) tonight, really impressed. I’ve seen their previous games and they’ve actually played very well but haven’t come out on the right side of the results so good luck to them. Jon (Brady) will say he deserved a point and I probably can’t argue with him.”
Although Northampton enjoyed the lion’s share of the ball in the first half, Lincoln looked comfortable as their back line coped admirably with what was thrown at them. A change of shape in the second half altered the dynamic of the game, but Kennedy has no regrets;
“I thought we were very good with how we dealt with their pressure for most of the game and I thought we looked dangerous on the counter-attack and we were very clinical, but it’s really disappointing to concede twice. The second one is a bit unlucky because it’s a deflection from a cross and it could have landed anywhere, but it’s one hell of a finish.
“We made the change at half-time because I thought we struggled with them. We were 4-4-2 out of possession but it turned into 3-5-2 and it wasn’t really working. It’s a bitter pill to swallow and the lads are down but that’s football and I’m not interested in people sulking and moaning. We are very lucky and privileged to do what we do and there’s no better job in the world so it won’t be hard for me to pick the players up.”
Lincoln are on the road again this Saturday when they travel to Shrewsbury Town.
Writer’s View
Having attended the game last night, there is no doubt that the change at half time had a huge say on the final outcome. Kennedy is right that Northampton were superior in the first half, although his side looked in control of the situation.
The decision to bring on Tyler Walker in place of Jaden Brown was a risk, and it was one that failed. The changes during the 3-0 win over Wycombe at the weekend were excellent and Kennedy rightly received the plaudits for those decisions. However, he must take this one on the chin and accept the criticism he will receive.
Still, four points from three games is a decent start, particularly with just one home game under their belts. Lincoln will learn from this and are still good value to finish in the top half of the table come May.
Mark Kennedy interrupted the flow of the team last night and the second half formation didn’t work and the players must have been scratching their heads wondering why when you are two up, the formation is changed. All that was needed was House off( because he is not the player of last season) and Walker on !