It was a thrilling start to the new season last weekend as the Blues opened the campaign up with a 3-all draw at Sheffield Wednesday. Next up, home comforts for the Blues for the first time in 2022/23.
Connor Ogilvie, Michael Jacobs and Colby Bishop were all on the scoresheet at Hillsborough in matchday number 1, with the hosts scoring late on to salvage a point, after Pompey themselves had to come from behind to lead.
This time out, Fratton Park prepares to welcome its highest crowd of the calendar year following pre-season redevelopment… PO4 opens its doors for the visit of Lincoln City.
MANAGER
Irish manager Mark Kennedy is now the man in charge of the Imps, following Michael Appleton’s departure and return to Blackpool at the end of the last campaign.
46-year-old Kennedy, who ran out as a left-sided player for the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Wolves, took charge of Lincoln back in May, signing a 4-year contract at Sincil Bank.
The former Ipswich Town academy coach and Birmingham City assistant has only one previous managerial job on his CV, taking charge of just 12 games at Macclesfield in 2020, resigning following the club’s points deduction and eventual relegation to the National League.
ONE TO WATCH
Last season’s top scorer at Sincil Bank, Anthony Scully, is our one to watch this weekend.
The 23-year-old, who wears the number 11 for the Imps, played the full 90 minutes and was one of the standout performers in the side’s league opener against Exeter City last time out.
Scully joined Lincoln from West Ham United back in February 2020, having made 37 appearances for the West Ham under-23s and has since scored 24 goals from 84 competitive appearances.
TOP SCORER
Club captain Tom Hopper is the current leading scorer with 1 goal under his belt.
The 28-year-old found the back of the net in last week’s 1-all draw with Exeter City.
Hopper had featured for 4 clubs prior to joining Lincoln in the January of 2020 - Turning pro at Leicester City in 2011 having come through their youth ranks, before enjoying spells out on loan at Bury and Scunthorpe, joining the latter permanently for 3 years before moving on to Southend United in 2018.
CURRENT FORM
Mark Kennedy’s side have, like all other clubs in the division, only taken to the field once so far this season.
The Imps were held to a 1-all draw with newly-promoted Exeter City at Sincil Bank last weekend and, as a result, sit 15th in the early League One standings.
Last term, they finished in 17th place and 12 points above the relegation zone.
So can Pompey push on from last week’s rollercoaster stalemate with Sheffield Wednesday or will Lincoln City claim their first win of the new campaign?
All of the unmissable action, on Pompey Live!
