Home v Lincoln [11 October Postponed] - Now Tue 28 October 2025 7.45pm

I take it Touray hasn't been called up for Gambia, he's played 25 times for them in the past? Now that'd just be one player for us but what a miss he would be, he feels like he's worth 2 players because of his positional versatility.

Deliberately signing internationals who subsequently barely play to give this option seems rather fanciful if true of Lincoln!

 

If the same was to happen to us and Neufville and Halliday were on international duty we'd do exactly the same and I'd expect Alexander to do what is best for the team.

I don't think there will be much of a back log as we've only got 3 midweek games before Christmas (4 if we get through in the EFL Trophy). We could even see what both of us doing in the FA Cup 1st round and if we get knocked out we can play the game on the first Saturday in December.

 

The Gambia squad is announced later today, he missed out on the last squad and the squad in the summer. I can understand missing out on the squad in the summer with the transfer going on but only reason I can see why he missed out on the last squad is that he turned down the call up as they were effectively knocked out. If he wants to go I don't see how he doesn't get a call up with his form.

 

yeah I agree, rules are the rules, and one game doesn't exactly constitute a backlog. Even if these players are more on the fringes of the squad I can see why they are taking the postponement. Squads aren't so huge at this level and you're only ever an injury or 2 away from being in trouble and I am sure we'd do the same.

To sign them deliberately in order to game this as an advantage feels unlikely.

Re. Touray it wouldn't surprise if he was called up for Gambia given the form he's been in. He is one player I wouldn't want us to be without right now, even if it was for only one match. Should that happen it makes this more of a blessing.

 

I am highly doubtful they signed players just because they are internationals, all 3 signings make a lot of sense to them. Obikwu had a decent loan spell at Grimsby last season with 7 in 19 in the league, Varfolomeev is a young player that they've paid a good fee for on a 4 year deal and Lembikisa has had a few loan spells at league 1 or higher.
Touray isn't in the squad so looks like we won't have to worry about him being called up for future squads as this is 3 in a row he's missed.

 

interestingly now that postponed games leaves some large holes in the planning for home games.

our next league games at home are Barnsley on the 18th October and Burton on the 8th November.

If the cup draws are unkind we could be looking at just two home matches between now and the 29th November

 

Our game in the next international window is Plymouth Away (15th November) They've had a few call cups for this window and there game at Mansfield is set to be postponed. Just hope our game at there's isn't postponed as a Tuesday game at Plymouth in Winter time would be rough and fair credit to anyone who goes, which for me deserves more than the 20 points you'd usually get

 

Nice to know it was deliberate which confirms what I said , they will use it when first team players are injured and thus avoiding playing someone they don’t fancy or gives them a mid month break. Let’s be honest it’s a manipulation of the rules.

 

That’s not the point, it’s done to give them the opportunity to call off games of their choosing irrespective of the opponent?

 

A world 11? Worse than Palace?

 

I know, but they have played to the FIFA rules. Taken advantage or whatever you want to call it. The rules need a fresh look.

 

It's worth noting that the next international break after this one is mid November which ties in with the Plymouth game. Plymouth have just had their October game postponed due to international call ups so I wouldn't be booking any hotels, coaches or trains for Plymouth anytime soon.

 

Agree.

 

I am very doubtful that they brought players in just because they are internationals, it's quite far fetched especially as 2 of them are regulars off the bench and the other is the back up right back. I would love to know where Lincoln are meant to have admitted this.

 

Postponement could be a blessing if it gives our defenders chance of getting fit? How far away is king curt? Baldwin?

 

Tilt is a long way off, at the time of the injury after he has surgery it was a couple of months so mid November at the earliest. Unless Alexander said something about Baldwin in his pre-match press conference I don't think it's been said how long Baldwin is out for

 

The near two week gap will do is a favour, especially to get bodies fit in defence.
I'd actually think of giving the lads a break now to recharge or even go on some kind of mini break. They have earned it.

 

There are quite a few other matches postponed too featuring the likes of Stevenage, Cardiff, Luton and Huddersfield, so at least we won't fall behind other clubs.

The players look like they could do with a break too.

 

No idea their fans declared it and we read it? There’s a copy of it posted earlier BB.