City Given New Attacking Dimension

After the Imps were taught a lesson against Mansfield on Tuesday, by the Stag's pacy and influential midfielders, Buckley sought to correct City's problems.

Both Justin Walker and Peter Gain were drafted into the City side, to take their place in a midfield quartet, along with the more combatant duo of Ian Hamilton and John Finnigan. The latter two held the midfield together in the centre, with Gain on the left and Walker on the right.

The skills of both Gain and Walker on either flank provided City with a wide outlet – something they have been lacking in recent weeks, since Ian Hamilton has looked uncomfortable in a wider position.

City supporters must be pondering how Buckley will line-up in forthcoming games. Bringing Justin Walker into the middle to complement his “buddy” John Finnigan, thus slotting in Kingsley Black on the right, with Gain on the left, would possibly be the most encouraging midfield line-up and a possible solution to the problem. However, the dependable Ben Sedgemore has not done anything to deserve a spot on the subs bench.

Ian Hamilton has come under a considerable amount of criticism from a section of the Imps support in recent times – due to his performance on the field, or an eagerness to see Justin Walker back in the fold is debatable.

Buckley needs to get it right, sooner rather than later. The team needs to be settled, so that the footballing principles Buckley is hammering home can come to fruition.

How would you line-up? What is your City XI?

E-mail us with your suggestions.