Vs: Leicester IFA
Location: Herringthorpe Playing Fields
Kick Off: 10:30
Meet: 9:45
Kit: Home (red)
4 goals in the final 15 minutes in our last outing inflated the score to 5-0 against a determined and hard working Barnsley side. After poor finishing and a general lack of energy throughout the team it is testament to the side that we ended up comfortable victors despite not playing well.
That said, the IMFC lads will want to put in a top notch performance for the gaffer as well as getting a victory this week against Leicester. The Foxes have played 8 won 1 drawn 2 and lost 5 this year, so on paper it should be a game the lads will be looking to rack up the goals. However, the Foxes will come fired up and relishing the chance to take on the WorldNet champs and any slackness could see an upset.
The squad is brimming with players, 16 in total. Most notable is the inclusion of 16 year old trialist Mike who is an avid RUFC fan. It’s also nice to welcome back Chris from Uni for his first game for a while.
Squad
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1. Burns
2. Yeard
3. Denti
4. Shark
5. JV
6. Scott
7. Andy P
8. Paulell (2nd half)
9. Lee
10. Jebu
11. Chrissy G
12. Mike
13. Copey
14. Gaz
15. Duds
16. Gilby
The backline is looking strong with Yeard, Denti, Duds, Gilby, Copey, Paul El, Jebu, and Andy P all capable of trying to maintain IMFC extremely impressive defensive record this season. Just 4 goals conceded in 6 games, 3 successive clean sheets and just 1 goal in the past 5 games. Shark will be proud of that record and looking to add to it. Paul El will be unavailable until the second half but with 8 options back there I’m sure the gaffer has plenty of cover!
In midfield, the versatility of a number of the IMFC players pays dividends. Dan will be missing as he is training to become a coach. Therefore, extra pressure will be placed on the quality of Gaz and Lee to shine through as the two full time central midfielders. Providing width will be the speedy JV and Scott with newcomer Mike also capable of taking on a wide role. Jebu and manager Andy P have both played central and wide roles this season, which gives more options to the management team.
Up front there are more options than the last few games with Burns, Chris Grist, Jebu, JV and newcomer Mike all able to play up top. If the management team opt for a 4-5-1 you would expect the big man Burns to take the role and he will be looking to bang some goals in after being un-characteristically wayward against Barnsley. However, don’t count out a possible 4-4-2 formation, which will see JV, Chris, Jebu and Mike all looking to bang some goals in if needed to. Certainly, JV and Jebu will be looking to build up their goals tally after a recent good run.
In the league IMFC have climbed to 6th and look set to pounce on their closest rivals over the coming months. The 100% record sees us sitting pretty just 4 points off second with 4 games in hand and 5 points off league leaders Motherwell but 3 games in hand. Our closest rivals are still Millwall who are the only other team to remain with a 100% record. QPR have had a couple of weeks without a game but still boast an impressive unbeaten record, drawing just the one.
Bury continued their good run of form with an expected battering of Huddersfield 8-0 to take them into 3rd, just 2 points above IMFC but having played one game more. Hearts drew 4-4 and remain 4th in the league on the same points as Bury having played one game more. League winners of 2 years ago Fulham continue their bad run of form this season with a 6-0 hammering off last years league winners Millwall.
We look forward to the visit of Leicester and it’s a shame we couldn’t host them on Hooton Lodge. However, we hope they enjoy the game down at herringthorpe and go on to have an enjoyable day against dirty Leeds. There will be no food on after the game as the Leicester lads have to quickly set off to Leeds but anyone and everyone is welcome to call into the belvedere for a few pints and perhaps head on down to the Woodman for the last one.
Jebu