What former Portsmouth boss Michael Appleton had to say after Lincoln knocked Blues off top spot

Lincoln usurped the Blues at the head of the League One table yesterday with a thumping 5-1 victory over struggling Burton Albion.

With Pompey’s season temporarily mothballed after a coronavirus outbreak, games against Swindon on Boxing Day and Bristol Rovers on Tuesday have been postponed.

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That means Kenny Jackett’s side will not have the chance to retaliate and the Imps will head into the new year guaranteed of their berth on top.

They can actually extend their advantage with their trip to fellow high fliers Hull City one of those currently scheduled to take place next week.

Appleton knows that moving to the top of the table will put eyes on his side who weren’t among the touted contenders at the start of the term.

But, with some January strengthening, that is a situation he’s ready to face up to.

Appleton told Lincolnshire Live: ‘It is [their season’s start being above expectations] but because we are there now, the expectation levels will rise a bit.

‘We need to meet those expectations head on and try to keep improving.

‘The only way we will do that is by working our socks off every day, which we do, and try to bring in a bit extra quality to help us through the next couple of months.’

The emphatic nature of the Burton win means Lincoln have bagged nine goals in two games and bounced back well after two defeats.

Appleton felt there it was far from a complete performance from his young side.

He added: ‘We did well for long periods of the game.

‘We started off really well with two goals, two very well worked goals.‘We had a period where we went forward too early and our build-up play wasn’t great in the second part of the first half.

‘But that was young players who got too comfortable, knowing they’ve got a 2-0 lead.

‘It was probably a bit too easy for them at times. The concentration levels had to improve in the second half and I thought they did.

‘We’re delighted to get the points and score the goals after having a blank in the last game here [losing 1-0 to Shrewsbury].’

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