Give me a selection headache says Appleton. Players oblige.

Any manager will spout out the usual pep talk when a lesser team is put out for a lesser competition. Usually many of the players present show why it is they’re not getting a start. On Tuesday however, in a hugely entertaining game against Rotherham all the players acquitted themselves well. Ben Coker and Freck were understandably ring rusty but got through ok. Max Melbourne had a decent game despite being out of position and you can’t argue with a clean sheet.

Plus of course there were goals, three of them, talk about unaccustomed as I am including a penalty. Remember the days when almost all of them were converted? Yes he’s back, this time with a bit of a blaster, well for Mr John Akinde it was a blaster and an outfield goal for him too. Paracetomol anyone?

Then there’s Harry Anderson. Remember me boss? Perhaps he will after an all action display for most of the game. There were audible gasps around me each time Harry tore past his opposite number. It didn’t quite last all game but again, any thoughts on that situation Michael?

Finally, last but not least, save the best till last and all that. Step forward Callum Connolly. You have given the manager the biggest conundrum of all, Sleepless nights for all the right reasons. Will he, could he leave him out after that or return him to midfield? Appleton likes ball playing defenders and for the third game in a row Connolly did the business.

So three goals and a clean sheet. Has the Lincoln Loco started to leave the sidings? What perfect timing if it has with Gillingham to come and with them a rotund Scotsman who always has something to say for himself. I’d love to be hearing some of those famed excuses come five o’clock Saturday.