Take a closer look at the latest stats and facts in our match preview ahead of Town's Sky Bet League One clash with Lincoln City.
Shrewsbury Town's next fixture sees Steve Cotterill's men take on high-flying Lincoln City in Sky Bet League One competition. The Imps make the journey to Shropshire looking to consolidate their position in the top six of the divion. However, last time out, the away side fell to defeat against Hull City; as the Tigers confirmed their membership in the Sky Bet Championship next season.
With Jorge Grant on 11 goals, Brennan Johnson with 10, and Anthony Scully on nine, the away side have threats all over the pitch. With three wins and only one loss in their last five, the Imps will provide Town with an exciting and stern test at Montgomery Waters Meadow.
However, Town come into the game off the back of an impressive away win over also promotion-chasing Blackpool. The Shrews will be looking to make it a double over Michael Appleton's team after Town took home a 1-0 win at Sincil Bank earlier in the season.
Name: Lincoln City Football Club
Nickname: The Imps
Founded: 1884 (136 years ago)
Chairman/owner: Clive Nates
Biggest win: 11-1 v Crewe Alexandra, Division Three (North), 29th September 1951
Biggest loss: 3-11 v Manchester City, Division Two, 23rd March 1895
Highest league finish: 5th, Second Division, 1901–02
Th Manager - Michael Appleton
Born in Salford, Greater Manchester, Michael Appleton started his playing career at Manchester United under the tutelage of Sir Alex Ferguson, signing professionally for the Red Devils in 1994. However, it was in a spell on loan with The Imps when the combative midfielder made his Football League debut.
Almost a year later, Michael made his debut for his parent club, a 2-1 win in the League Cup against Swindon Town, before following that up in the next round against Leicester City.
Michael cut his coaching teeth with West Bromwich Albion’s academy before stepping into management roles at Portsmouth, Blackpool and Blackburn Rovers. A move to Oxford United in 2014 followed where he had his most successful management period to date winning automatic promotion to the third tier with The U’s. They were also twice runners up in the EFL Trophy in a three-year spell at the Kassam Stadium which led to a move to former Premier League champions Leicester City as assistant manager.
Following the departure of Craig Shakespeare, Appleton stepped into the breach as caretaker for two games, winning both. Before he left the club following a restructure behind the scenes by the incoming manager, Claude Puel.
Michael’s career then brought a return to The Hawthorns in the summer of 2019, as under 23 Manager at West Brom, a role which he held until moving to Sincil Bank as First Team Manager in late September 2019.
Goalkeeper – Alex Palmer
Former England U16 goalkeeper Alex Palmer joined the Imps on loan on 4 September 2020 from Premier League side West Brom. The shot-stopper made his City debut in a 2-1 win over Crewe Alexandra in the Carabao Cup the next day.
Palmer made a name for himself on loan at Plymouth Argyle last season after keeping 15 clean sheets as the Pilgrims gained automatic promotion back to League One. Alex had previously spent time with Kidderminster Harriers, Oldham and Notts County.
Defender – Lewis Montsma
Young Dutch defender Lewis Montsma joined City during the 2020 Summer Transfer Window, signing from Eerste Divisie side, FC Dordrecht.
A product of the SC Heerenveen academy, Montsma spent a year with SC Cambuur before signing professional terms with Dordrecht in 2018. He made his debut for the club against NEC Nijmegen.
Lewis who is six foot three signed a three-year contract with the Imps before being assigned the vacant number four shirt. So far this season, the towering defender has scored five goals in league competition.
Midfielder – Jorge Grant
Initially starting his academy career with Reading, Jorge Grant spent a brief time in the Nike Academy before joining Nottingham Forest in 2013.
The 24-year-old made his professional debut for Forest in 2014 in a 1-0 over Tranmere Rovers. Grant went on to score his first goal for the club in a 3-1 defeat against Spurs in the 2014/15 League Cup.
In order to gain more first-team experience, the midfielder joined Notts County on loan in January 2017 for the remainder of the season. He made an instant impact for the side leading to him re-signing for County for the 2017/18 season.
Grant scored 19 goals in 56 appearances for County before joining Luton Town ahead of the 2018/19 campaign. After 17 league appearances, the midfielder then joined Mansfield Town in January 2019 for the remainder of the season. Jorge joined the Imps from Nottingham Forest on a permanent deal in July 2019.
The forward - Tom Hopper
Hopper joined The Imps from Southend United in January 2020, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract.
The Lincolnshire-born striker started his career with his hometown club, Boston United, in his teenage years and still holds the record for being their youngest-ever outfield player at the age of just 15.
Following his breakthrough at The Pilgrims, he moved to Leicester City where he featured three times in cup competition before heading back North on loan with first Bury and then Scunthorpe United.
His temporary spell with The Iron became permanent in 2015 and he scored 23 times before moving to Southend United in the summer of 2018.
He netted ten times for The Shrimpers in 30 appearances ahead of his move to The Imps, Tom made his City debut as a second-half substitute at Portman Road against Ipswich Town in late January 2020.
Officials:
Referee: James Bell
Assistants: Barry Gordon and Daniel Woodward
Fourth Official: Chris Isherwood
Average league stats:
Click the banner below to purchase your iFollow streaming pass for the fixture...
