Michael Appleton

Michael Appleton says that his Lincoln City side has to give it their “best shot” in trying to secure automatic promotion.

The Imps are currently sat third in Sky Bet League One and travel to second place Peterborough United on Saturday.

City make the trip to the Weston Homes Stadium knowing that they need to take all three points if they wish to keep their hopes of automatic promotion alive. However, Peterborough need just one point to secure promotion on Saturday afternoon.

‘Small chance’

With just three games of the regular season remaining, the Imps boss believes that his side still has a “small” chance of securing automatic promotion.

Speaking to the media ahead of the game, he said: “Where there is a small chance – and it is a very small chance – then we have to give it our best shot.

The Imps manager Michael Appleton said his side had a “small chance” at automatic promotion. Photo: Aaron Mayhew

“The reality is we are playing a top side – I don’t want to go there and get well beaten.

“At the end of the day, if we go there and win the game, I do expect Peterborough to take care of what they need to do in their last game.”

To give themselves the chance of securing automatic promotion, the Imps must win their last three games. However, they will also need Doncaster to beat Peterborough on the final day.

But Appleton is hoping that they can put pressure on Darren Ferguson’s side heading into the last week of the regular season.

He said: “All I want to do, if possible, is to try and win the next two games and really make Peterborough work their socks off to get that top-two spot.”

Social Media boycott

This weekend will see clubs and governing bodies across the country take part in a social media boycott to help tackle online abuse.

From 3pm on Friday, April 30 until 23:59 on Monday, May 3, the club will not post on their social media outlets.

LNER Stadium. Photo: Ben Robinson

The Imps boss hopes that it will make a difference and force social media companies into doing more.

“I certainly hope it does make a difference because something needs to happen and there needs to be a change,” he said.

“It’s good to see so many sports involved, not just football. Footballers seem to be an easy target for some reason, but it is great to see everyone involved and I hope it does make a difference.”

Members of the Lincoln squad have spoken out about the abuse players can receive online. Tayo Edun spoke passionately about the abuse that footballers are the victims of and said that something needs to be done.

The potential of fans returning

Should the Imps not secure automatic promotion, then they may see the return of fans at LNER Stadium in the play-offs.

Supporters have been a huge miss at home games this season, and Appleton is looking forward to potentially seeing them return.

The 45-year-old said: “It will be brilliant and absolutely fantastic.

“I don’t know what the percentage that we can have in is, if that is the case, but like all managers, I am just desperate to see fans back in the stadium. They have been sorely missed.”