This Week's Opposition: Lincoln City

After a tremendous first-half and a nerve wracking second away at Barnsley Tuesday night, the Blues are now sitting pretty at the top of the League One table. With two away games in the space of a week we now head back down South to Fratton Park to take on Lincoln City!

3 goals in 16 minutes in midweek, with 2 of those scored in the same minute at Oakwell, saw Paddy Lane and Connor Ogilvie make it onto the scoresheet.

With the unbeaten streak still continuing and John Moushino’s side proving to be quite the threat… Let's take a closer look at this Saturday's opposition…

MANAGER

Mark Kennedy is an Irish football coach and former professional footballer who is now at the helm for the Imps.

Kennedy started his playing career at Millwall at the age of 16 and, over his 3-year-stay at the club, he broke into the Republic of Ireland’s Under-21s side.

He then went on to play for Premier League sides Liverpool, Wimbledon, Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers, as well as in the Football League for Millwall, Queens Park Rangers, Crystal Palace, Cardiff City.

Kennedy finished off his professional career as a left back and left-sided winger at Ipswich in 2012 and eventually went on to join the coaching staff at Portman Road.

Throughout his career he made 34 caps for the Republic of Ireland.

Kennedy began coaching with the Ipswich academy in 2012 and was appointed the club’s Under-21s head coach in the same year. He then moved on to coach Manchester City’s academy and also spent time coaching with Wolves Under-23s side.

In January 2020 he was appointed head coach at Macclesfield Town but rejected a new contract following the club’s relegation to the National League as a result of a points deduction for financial issues.

Kennedy returned to the Ipswich Town academy before then moving on to assistant coach at Championship outfit Birmingham, who he left in May 2022 to become the head coach of Lincoln City on a 4-year contract.

ONE TO WATCH

Our one to watch is a very familiar face, Reeco Hackett.

The 25-year-old started his playing career at Dagenham & Redbridge and he also played for Charlton Athletic and Bromley before signing for Pompey in January 2020.

In Hackett’s time at PO4, he went out on loan to former club Bromley, as well as Southend United too.

He made a total of 79 appearances for the Blues and scored 11 goals across all competitions.

Hackett joined Lincoln City on a 3-year deal back in June. The right winger wears the number 7 shirt for the Imps.

TOP SCORER

Lincoln currently have 4 players fighting for the top goalscorer spot so far this campaign. Daniel Mandriou, Recco Hackett, Teddy Bishop and Ethan Hamilton have all currently scored 2 league goals this campaign.

However, Recco Hackett won the Sky Bet League One Goal of the Month award for August with his half-volley strike on his left foot into the top corner against Northampton Town, which ended in a 2-2 draw.

CURRENT FORM

Lincoln are currently sitting 10th in the League One table, 9 places and 4 points behind the top of the league Blues.

After losing their opening league game 3-0 against Bolton, The Imps have since won 3 and drawn 3 of their last 6.

The Imps still remain in the Carabao Cup and have been drawn against Premier League side and current UEFA Conference League holders West Ham United in the 3rd Round.

The last time these two sides met was last season - Both respective fixtures at Fratton Park and Sincil Bank ending 0-0.

Can the Blues maintain their place at the top of the League One table?

All of the unmissable action of Portsmouth vs Lincoln City will be right here on 93.7 Express FM, DAB Digital Radio and iFollow Pompey when Pompey Live returns this afternoon (September 23rd) from 2pm! (Kick-off: 3pm)