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Lincoln City v Gillingham - Match Preview - Written by Lewis Browning

 Gillingham’s men will face their fourth away trip of the month on Saturday when they travel to an out of sorts Lincoln City in SkyBet League One action.


 The Gills could end the weekend just two points off the play-off places following a brilliant unbeaten run that they will hope to extend on the day.


 It will not be easy, though – here’s our preview of the matchup.


 The Details


 Lincoln City v Gillingham


 Sincil Bank Stadium


 SkyBet League One


 Saturday February 22, 3:00pm


 Team News


 Gillingham could welcome midfielder Stuart O’Keefe back to the starting XI after the 28-year-old missed the win over Southend through injury.


 Southampton loanee Alfie Jones made the bench on Tuesday following an injury layoff, and should be ready for a starting place if required. January signing John Akinde is set to start against his old club.


 Mark Byrne is the only long-term injury absentee.


 Lincoln midfielder Joe Morrell will miss the game after accumulating 10 yellow cards throughout the season. Saturday’s game will be the final match of his two-game ban.


 Injury wise, the Imps are good to go.


 What The Managers Said


 Gillingham manager Steve Evans: “We were not at our best Tuesday, but we got the three points and we moved on. The boys have come back in and look really fresh.


 “We have a never say die attitude to get a result. The fans have been incredible and, when we scored on Tuesday, it felt like a home game.


 “Standards and preparing to play on a matchday are not negotiable. Players are leading by example.


“We took a while to find our style of play, but we have worked so hard on the training ground. We have done lots of video analysis, but credit must go to the players.


 “We have difficult games to come, but we’ll take them one at a time. The atmosphere on Saturday will be excellent – defensively, we need to be strong.


 “Lincoln have good characters in their group and a manager who is very knowledgeable. It will be a tough test.”


 Lincoln manager Michael Appleton: “At the moment, I am quite relaxed showing my trust in the young players because they’re the ones showing maturity. They want to get on the ball and do the physical side of the game.


 “We now have five defeats in six which will never help and team, but that isn’t an excuse.


 “Over the last couple of games, I have learnt a lot about my players. We have a tough week because, if we don’t show physicality and roll up our sleeves for a scrap, we will lose.


 “It’s a big week because we need to earn the right to play.”


Form


 Gillingham are still on the longest unbeaten run in the football League. They now have no defeat in their last 14 league games – a record which is bettered by only Liverpool in the top four leagues of English football.


 In their last game, the Gills were far from their best but managed a 1-0 victory over a poor Southend United side at Roots Hall. A Connor Ogilvie goal was enough to seal the three points for Steve Evans’ men, who have now won three games in a row.


 Lincoln aren’t in great form, however. They have lost five of their last six games, with the other being a draw.


Last Saturday, the Imps fell to a 4-3 defeat at the hands of Accrington and find themselves 15th in League One. Gillingham, meanwhile, are ninth.


 Previous Meetings


 Gillingham won the reverse fixture back in November by a solitary goal. Mikael Mandron’s first half effort was enough for the Gills to claim all three points in a game Saturday’s hosts really struggled.


 Due to Lincoln’s recent climb up the English football pyramid, there are few fresh games between the two teams. Apart from this season, the most recent fixture between the two was back in 2011, when Gillingham prevailed 4-0 at Sincil Bank.


 Altogether, the teams have faced off 47 times in the past. Gillingham lead the way in terms of victories with 20 to Lincoln’s 16, whilst there have also been 11 draws.


 Officials


 Referee: Tom Nield


 Assistants: Steven Rushton and Thomas Harty


 Fourth official: Ian Dudley

Away games never come easy in League One, and Saturday’s match promises to be another tough fixture for Gillingham. They will have to be at their best if they are to keep their unbeaten run going, let alone pick up the three points – here’s hoping they can do it.

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