The new Serie A season is nearly upon us, but as a Milan fan I am not too sure I want it to start, following the upheaval and dismantling of the first team squad it doesn't feel like this side is anywhere near ready to compete this season.
We had the departures of the old players, the likes of Seedorf, Nesta, Gattuso and Inzaghi, all of these departures are perfectly understandable and some of them were on considerable wages. With the financial predicament that the Berlusconi family has fallen into it is no surprise that cut backs have been made, but the cut backs have been deep and severe.
I fully understand the need to make savings and the sale of Zlatan was no big loss or surprise to me, he was a guy earning over 200,000 euros a week and as he is now over 30 to receive an offer of over 20m for him was like a dream come true. The real blow to me was the saga of Thiago Silva, first he was off, then he would not leave and in fact signed a longer contract before a month later he had left for a fee believed to be around 45m, this is alot of money for a central defender but I was gutted, he is, for me, the best in the world in his position and the money received for him is slightly irrelevant as you cannot sign a replacement that even slightly compares to his ability.
And so far this window around 4m has been spent on players, some good signings have come in Montolivo and Pazzini stand out for me as good players, but there is a massive lack of quality throughout the squad. The starting eleven will be good enough to challenge for the title and get into the champions league spots, but the back up players just don't appear up to the task and as such we appear only one or two injuries/suspensions away from fielding a mid table side.
Sampdoria are first up against Milan at the San Siro this Sunday..the starting line up I would like to see is this:
Abbiati
Abate Mexes Zapata Antonini
Montolivo Nocerino Emmanuelson
Boateng Pazzini Robinho
No way near as strong as last seasons side but it has enough quality to be near the top. Pato will also return to the side soon after his Olympics break, I just hope his injury problems of last season are history as he will need to be a key player this season as we honestly don't have many options.
Wednesday, 22 August 2012
Monday, 23 April 2012
A final home game to forget
Last Saturday the Imps took on Hayes and Yeading in their final home game of the 2011-2012 Bonference Premier, a higher then average crowd of 2,585 turned out in the driving rain and thunder. Sadly like most matches this season the fans dedication was only rewarded with an inept and lifeless display from the Imps as they succumbed to a 1-0 defeated to now relegated Hayes.
My hopes were high going into this game that the side would be able to send the fans into pre-season happy that there is something to look forward to for next season, I am personally annoyed that it didn't happen. I am even more annoyed that I had aspirations of the club performing and the players earning their money, it just hasn't happened this season except for the odd freak result that has seen us get a few good score lines. But lets not forget these have been the exception and also against some of the worst sides I have seen play professional football.
The Imps lined up for this game with a surprise selection in Nialle Rodney partnering Jefferson Luis in attack. After the performance he showed I hope this has been his final outing in a Lincoln shirt, he spent most of the game offside and when he wasn't he did very little to impress the home crowd. I did think that in the first half the side did keep hold of possession fairly well and that a couple of good chances were carved out, but as we have seen so often we didn't take these chances and rued these later on when Hayes scored the only goal for the game from Piero Mingoa in the 60th minute.
Whilst I did find a few small positives form the first half I didn't see any in the second half. there was no shape or direction to the side. The substitutes made by Holdsworth further destroyed any chance the side had of getting anything form this game. Two youngsters in Robinson and Cobb came on in the place of Lloyd and Rodney. This then saw players playing out of position with Bore switching to the left flank, despite only being right sided, and Alan Power going wide on the right. This didn't work and made the side far too narrow and the midfield congested as both wide players were not comfortable in the positions they were playing.
Robinson was given man of the match for his 30 minute outing by the sponsors, this did amaze me, sure he played well and looked lively, but he did miss two good chances and was flagged offside too often. There is potential there but as of yet from this cameo I am not convinced. I hope he is given more of an outing next weekend against Ebbesfleet to show what he is capable of. Cobb on the other hand went about his game quietly and effectively, closing down and working hard in the centre of midfield. again I do hope that he is given more of a chance next week.
For me the man of the match was Gowling, he defended well and rarely lost anything in the air. As well as stepping forward when needed to cut out through balls and passes played into the feet of the opposition attack. I hope that both he and Miller will be our starting centre backs for next season, I still have doubts in both full back areas.
Joe Anyon picked up both the player of the year and the away player of the year before the match, he had another decent game and could take little blame for the goal that was conceded. I fear that this will be the last time Sincil Bank will see him pull on the Imps shirt, for me he was fully deserved of both of these awards, if he does depart the club in the summer I wouldn't blame him and I would wish him all of the best.
This was my last game of the season, and like the season that it has built up to it has been one to forget, I do struggle to see how we will be much better next season, yet another crucial pre-season is ahead of us, we need players who are capable of performing at the higher end of this league, this season we have signed players who are perennial relegation battlers, as a result it was no surprise we battled against relegation.
I will be renewing my season ticket this summer, I do hope that most of you do too, without the support of the fans and the money that comes from season ticket sales the quality of player we are able to attract is decreased.
It has not been a good season but, unlike the board, I am thankful to share the stands with the rest of the Imps faithful and believe the support has been fantastic despite what we have had to endure. I hope to see you all there again in August!
My hopes were high going into this game that the side would be able to send the fans into pre-season happy that there is something to look forward to for next season, I am personally annoyed that it didn't happen. I am even more annoyed that I had aspirations of the club performing and the players earning their money, it just hasn't happened this season except for the odd freak result that has seen us get a few good score lines. But lets not forget these have been the exception and also against some of the worst sides I have seen play professional football.
The Imps lined up for this game with a surprise selection in Nialle Rodney partnering Jefferson Luis in attack. After the performance he showed I hope this has been his final outing in a Lincoln shirt, he spent most of the game offside and when he wasn't he did very little to impress the home crowd. I did think that in the first half the side did keep hold of possession fairly well and that a couple of good chances were carved out, but as we have seen so often we didn't take these chances and rued these later on when Hayes scored the only goal for the game from Piero Mingoa in the 60th minute.
Whilst I did find a few small positives form the first half I didn't see any in the second half. there was no shape or direction to the side. The substitutes made by Holdsworth further destroyed any chance the side had of getting anything form this game. Two youngsters in Robinson and Cobb came on in the place of Lloyd and Rodney. This then saw players playing out of position with Bore switching to the left flank, despite only being right sided, and Alan Power going wide on the right. This didn't work and made the side far too narrow and the midfield congested as both wide players were not comfortable in the positions they were playing.
Robinson was given man of the match for his 30 minute outing by the sponsors, this did amaze me, sure he played well and looked lively, but he did miss two good chances and was flagged offside too often. There is potential there but as of yet from this cameo I am not convinced. I hope he is given more of an outing next weekend against Ebbesfleet to show what he is capable of. Cobb on the other hand went about his game quietly and effectively, closing down and working hard in the centre of midfield. again I do hope that he is given more of a chance next week.
For me the man of the match was Gowling, he defended well and rarely lost anything in the air. As well as stepping forward when needed to cut out through balls and passes played into the feet of the opposition attack. I hope that both he and Miller will be our starting centre backs for next season, I still have doubts in both full back areas.
Joe Anyon picked up both the player of the year and the away player of the year before the match, he had another decent game and could take little blame for the goal that was conceded. I fear that this will be the last time Sincil Bank will see him pull on the Imps shirt, for me he was fully deserved of both of these awards, if he does depart the club in the summer I wouldn't blame him and I would wish him all of the best.
This was my last game of the season, and like the season that it has built up to it has been one to forget, I do struggle to see how we will be much better next season, yet another crucial pre-season is ahead of us, we need players who are capable of performing at the higher end of this league, this season we have signed players who are perennial relegation battlers, as a result it was no surprise we battled against relegation.
I will be renewing my season ticket this summer, I do hope that most of you do too, without the support of the fans and the money that comes from season ticket sales the quality of player we are able to attract is decreased.
It has not been a good season but, unlike the board, I am thankful to share the stands with the rest of the Imps faithful and believe the support has been fantastic despite what we have had to endure. I hope to see you all there again in August!
Friday, 20 April 2012
Final game at Sincil bank for 2011-2012
This Saturday sees the final home game of the Season for Lincoln City where they take on Hayes and Yeading at 3pm in the Conference Premier. A few weeks ago this was being billed as the deciding game of both Lincoln and Hayes seasons. Results have since declared this game as quite relevant, Lincoln are now thankfully safe from the relegation zone and Hayes are now all but relegated, unless they can win both remaining games and score over twenty goals, as well as hope that Newport lose their three remaining fixtures.
After another season of turmoil both on the pitch and off it we come to our final home game with nothing left to play for except to show the fans what the players and this team could be capable of next season. In the week it was announced that a new deal was agreed in principle for manager David Holdsworth to continue his work for next season. I will be eagerly awaiting to see how he approaches this pre season. I also hope that we don't have a massive turn around of players like we have had in the previous few years as this just sets the side back from the start.
Coming into this last home match the Imps managed to draw away from home to the champions Fleetwood Town, a brilliant and well earned result that gave the fans something to cheer this season, that result in affect was enough to keep us up this season.I wouldn't call it a 'wonderful achievement' thoguh like it was eluded on the official site this week by the manager. I will never be happy of our club to be just scraping by in non-league football.
With nothing left for the team to play for except league position or points I wouldn't be surprised to see Holdsworth give some of the fringe players a chance, I would love some of the youth players to be involved in the squad, at least on the bench.
Hayes will come here knowing that they must win and score goals, but sadly I don't think they will have enough about them and I predict that we will win this final home game of the season 2-1.
I hope a few imps will turn out for this last game, and all home and away shirts are now on offer for just £10 in the club shop, which means that we may well have a decent kit for next season at least!
After another season of turmoil both on the pitch and off it we come to our final home game with nothing left to play for except to show the fans what the players and this team could be capable of next season. In the week it was announced that a new deal was agreed in principle for manager David Holdsworth to continue his work for next season. I will be eagerly awaiting to see how he approaches this pre season. I also hope that we don't have a massive turn around of players like we have had in the previous few years as this just sets the side back from the start.
Coming into this last home match the Imps managed to draw away from home to the champions Fleetwood Town, a brilliant and well earned result that gave the fans something to cheer this season, that result in affect was enough to keep us up this season.I wouldn't call it a 'wonderful achievement' thoguh like it was eluded on the official site this week by the manager. I will never be happy of our club to be just scraping by in non-league football.
With nothing left for the team to play for except league position or points I wouldn't be surprised to see Holdsworth give some of the fringe players a chance, I would love some of the youth players to be involved in the squad, at least on the bench.
Hayes will come here knowing that they must win and score goals, but sadly I don't think they will have enough about them and I predict that we will win this final home game of the season 2-1.
I hope a few imps will turn out for this last game, and all home and away shirts are now on offer for just £10 in the club shop, which means that we may well have a decent kit for next season at least!
Monday, 16 April 2012
The Imps spoil Fleetwoods party
Lincoln City gained a very credible and nervous 2-2 draw away to Fleetwood Town on Friday night in the Conference Premier division. This draw delayed the home side the chance to pick up the league title in front of the live TV cameras and 4,511 fans at Highbury.
The Imps came into this game knowing that they needed at most just three more points to guarantee their status in this division for next season. Not many, including myself, gave the imps much hope against top of the table and deserved leaders of the league Fleetwood town. As it turned out the result was enough after Saturdays league fixtures to secure both Lincolns survival and Fleetwoods crowning as champions this weekend.
The Imps started this game once more in their familiar 4-42 formation, with Lloyd and Bore starting the wide areas to showing some attacking intent from the start form Holdsworth. Sadly Tom Miller was injured in the warm up for this match and as a result Karlton Watson replaced him in the starting line up just before kick off, breaking up the back four for the first time since Miller signed.
It took City only eight minutes to take an unlikely but deserved lead through Jamie Taylor. His left footed shot went past Fleetwoods keeper Scott Davies with ease and this was the first sign that the Imps may well be able to cause a unlikely upset on this Friday the 13th fixture. In the 13th minute of the match Andy Mangan may count himself as a little lucky not to see a red card for a reckless and studs up challenge on Tyrone Thompson, he escaped with only a booking when replays suggested a red card could have easily been shown to the forward.
Fleetwood failed to take control of the game following the early goal from the imps and they were made to pay for a second time on 20 minutes when Jefferson Louis made the score 2-0 to the Imps. This second goal came from a John Nutter free kick that was curled in towards Louis at the front post who headed the ball home in front of a shocked Fleetwood crowd. No one would have dreamt of this start from the imps.
The imps impressive start to the match continued until just minutes from the half time whistle. whilst Fleetwood had spurned good chances I was hopefully that the imps could see out the first half with their clean sheet, this was ruined however when the leagues top scorer Jamie Vardy pulled a goal back after a scuffed shot landed at his feet following a superb save from Anyon, he smashed the ball into the roof of the net and gave the home fans something to cheer on their supposed night of promotion.
the second half kicked off with both sides unchanged. There was a sense thoguh that Fleetwood would be the more likely to attack and get the next goal in the match. Sadly it took only four minutes of the second half before the match was all level, a Gowling header back to Anyon was under hit and instead of coming out with his hands and claiming the ball he slid out feet first, his weak clearance was touched past him by Vardy who then smashed the ball in, leaving the home fans once more of dreaming of lifting the trophy.
At this point I feared that our great first half performance would be completely undone and that Fleetwood would go on and get a few more goals to seal the win. Luckily for the imps Fleetwood, whilst dominating the second half, couldn't find away to really break down the Imps back line and create a clear cut chance. As a result Anyon went the the remaining forty minutes keeping the Fleetwood attack at bay.
A brilliant result for the Imps, one which will be remembered. sadly it is also a show of how far the club has declined over the previous few years. Just twelve months ago we wouldn't dream of playing let along being second fiddle to Fleetwood Town. The lessons for the Imps were not only on the pitch on Friday thoguh, off the field Fleetwood have an incredibly rich owner who has invested into the club from the bottom up, improving the ground, facilities and the squad. I do fear that it will be a very long time before The Imps are in a similar position to be able to challenge for the solitary automatic promotion spot from this division.
At least we are now safe and can build for next season. Talks over a contract for Holdsworth are set to take place this week between the Board and the manager. He has kept us up when many of us were fearing the worse and relegation and even the very existence of our club if that event occurred.
Next season must be better for all involved in the club. We have learnt some very harsh lessons this season both on the filed and off the filed. Lets hope they have been learnt unlike last seasons and that this time next year we are in with a shout of the play off places.
The Imps came into this game knowing that they needed at most just three more points to guarantee their status in this division for next season. Not many, including myself, gave the imps much hope against top of the table and deserved leaders of the league Fleetwood town. As it turned out the result was enough after Saturdays league fixtures to secure both Lincolns survival and Fleetwoods crowning as champions this weekend.
The Imps started this game once more in their familiar 4-42 formation, with Lloyd and Bore starting the wide areas to showing some attacking intent from the start form Holdsworth. Sadly Tom Miller was injured in the warm up for this match and as a result Karlton Watson replaced him in the starting line up just before kick off, breaking up the back four for the first time since Miller signed.
It took City only eight minutes to take an unlikely but deserved lead through Jamie Taylor. His left footed shot went past Fleetwoods keeper Scott Davies with ease and this was the first sign that the Imps may well be able to cause a unlikely upset on this Friday the 13th fixture. In the 13th minute of the match Andy Mangan may count himself as a little lucky not to see a red card for a reckless and studs up challenge on Tyrone Thompson, he escaped with only a booking when replays suggested a red card could have easily been shown to the forward.
Fleetwood failed to take control of the game following the early goal from the imps and they were made to pay for a second time on 20 minutes when Jefferson Louis made the score 2-0 to the Imps. This second goal came from a John Nutter free kick that was curled in towards Louis at the front post who headed the ball home in front of a shocked Fleetwood crowd. No one would have dreamt of this start from the imps.
The imps impressive start to the match continued until just minutes from the half time whistle. whilst Fleetwood had spurned good chances I was hopefully that the imps could see out the first half with their clean sheet, this was ruined however when the leagues top scorer Jamie Vardy pulled a goal back after a scuffed shot landed at his feet following a superb save from Anyon, he smashed the ball into the roof of the net and gave the home fans something to cheer on their supposed night of promotion.
the second half kicked off with both sides unchanged. There was a sense thoguh that Fleetwood would be the more likely to attack and get the next goal in the match. Sadly it took only four minutes of the second half before the match was all level, a Gowling header back to Anyon was under hit and instead of coming out with his hands and claiming the ball he slid out feet first, his weak clearance was touched past him by Vardy who then smashed the ball in, leaving the home fans once more of dreaming of lifting the trophy.
At this point I feared that our great first half performance would be completely undone and that Fleetwood would go on and get a few more goals to seal the win. Luckily for the imps Fleetwood, whilst dominating the second half, couldn't find away to really break down the Imps back line and create a clear cut chance. As a result Anyon went the the remaining forty minutes keeping the Fleetwood attack at bay.
A brilliant result for the Imps, one which will be remembered. sadly it is also a show of how far the club has declined over the previous few years. Just twelve months ago we wouldn't dream of playing let along being second fiddle to Fleetwood Town. The lessons for the Imps were not only on the pitch on Friday thoguh, off the field Fleetwood have an incredibly rich owner who has invested into the club from the bottom up, improving the ground, facilities and the squad. I do fear that it will be a very long time before The Imps are in a similar position to be able to challenge for the solitary automatic promotion spot from this division.
At least we are now safe and can build for next season. Talks over a contract for Holdsworth are set to take place this week between the Board and the manager. He has kept us up when many of us were fearing the worse and relegation and even the very existence of our club if that event occurred.
Next season must be better for all involved in the club. We have learnt some very harsh lessons this season both on the filed and off the filed. Lets hope they have been learnt unlike last seasons and that this time next year we are in with a shout of the play off places.
Thursday, 12 April 2012
Can the Imps delay the party?
This Friday the 13th the Imps will take on champions to be Fleetwood Town at the Highbury Stadium in a 7:30 kick off that will be shown live on Premier Sports. Fleetwood are in need of only one more victory to confirm their status as conference Champions 2011-2012 following on from their draw to nearest challengers Wrexham.
Fleetwood have been dominant this season and their last of only three defeats in the league this season came at home to Newport in October, when they lost 4-1. Since that result they have all but 5 games, which has given them 102 points before this match. Over twice as many as our current points total. Fleetwood have been so strong this season due to their attacking play, they have the leagues current top scorer in Jamie Vardy who has 29 league goals to date, unsurprisingly he was linked with several higher clubs in the January transfer window.
Vardy isn't their only source of goals though, with Andy Mangan scoring 21 so far, their wealth of attacking talent is certainly their main strength, their defensive record isn't actually too dissimilar to Lincoln's at home.
Lincoln will go to Fleetwood fully aware that their is no pressure or expectation on them to get a result, anything will be a bonus against a side that has been so dominant this season. This game will give the club an idea of the sort of level they need to be at both on and off the pitch to be able to challenge for promotion back into the football league in the coming seasons. the gulf between the two sides is huge at the moment and it will take a drastic improvement in all areas of the club to come anyway near to being in Fleetwoods position in the next few years.
The Imps will come into this game on the back of a confidence boosting 5-0 home win against Darlington. I am expecting Holdsworth to play the exact same starting eleven as he did in this last match. Continuity has been a major reason for me in our recent resurgence away from the relegation places. We do run the risk of a hammering and a football lesson, but we received one of those to lowly Stockport before the victory over Darlington.
Sadly I am going to predict a defeat for the Imps, but I do think we will have a go and make it tough for Fleetwood, a 2-0 defeat. the one upside of this is that the Imps may get to see a side lift a trophy and fully realise how good it would be to be able to do this next season. With this game being live on TV I expect a few Imps fans to be in the pubs of Lincoln for the rare opportunity to watch thier club on the big screen. I am unaware if the Club are showing the game, they should be....after all, it is Lincoln City!
Fleetwood have been dominant this season and their last of only three defeats in the league this season came at home to Newport in October, when they lost 4-1. Since that result they have all but 5 games, which has given them 102 points before this match. Over twice as many as our current points total. Fleetwood have been so strong this season due to their attacking play, they have the leagues current top scorer in Jamie Vardy who has 29 league goals to date, unsurprisingly he was linked with several higher clubs in the January transfer window.
Vardy isn't their only source of goals though, with Andy Mangan scoring 21 so far, their wealth of attacking talent is certainly their main strength, their defensive record isn't actually too dissimilar to Lincoln's at home.
Lincoln will go to Fleetwood fully aware that their is no pressure or expectation on them to get a result, anything will be a bonus against a side that has been so dominant this season. This game will give the club an idea of the sort of level they need to be at both on and off the pitch to be able to challenge for promotion back into the football league in the coming seasons. the gulf between the two sides is huge at the moment and it will take a drastic improvement in all areas of the club to come anyway near to being in Fleetwoods position in the next few years.
The Imps will come into this game on the back of a confidence boosting 5-0 home win against Darlington. I am expecting Holdsworth to play the exact same starting eleven as he did in this last match. Continuity has been a major reason for me in our recent resurgence away from the relegation places. We do run the risk of a hammering and a football lesson, but we received one of those to lowly Stockport before the victory over Darlington.
Sadly I am going to predict a defeat for the Imps, but I do think we will have a go and make it tough for Fleetwood, a 2-0 defeat. the one upside of this is that the Imps may get to see a side lift a trophy and fully realise how good it would be to be able to do this next season. With this game being live on TV I expect a few Imps fans to be in the pubs of Lincoln for the rare opportunity to watch thier club on the big screen. I am unaware if the Club are showing the game, they should be....after all, it is Lincoln City!
Wednesday, 11 April 2012
An Easter weekend of highs and lows for an Imps fan
What a contrast in the two fixtures Lincoln were involved in over the Easter bank holiday weekend. On Saturday the Imps travelled to Stockport, and at Stockport the travelling fans saw a performance that made virtually everyone fear that we would be going down. We were soundly beaten by four goals to nil. The four goals came from firstly Hattersley in the sixth minute, followed by two goals from Rowe in the 11th and 55th Minutes before the final goal was scored by Darkwah in the final minutes of the game.
This game saw Lincoln play the same back line as they had since Miller had signed, but where as the previous four games had seen us appear tough to beat it was all too easy for Stockport and they tore us apart. It was worryingly that we appeared to have reverted to our previous defensive short comings of gifting opposing players easy chances. This side had Nicolau and Sheridan in the wide midfield areas, both are hard workers who support their full backs but lack the creativity to really pose a consistent threat going forward. Laurent began the game alongside Jefferson Louis in attack, but had a terrible and rather hopeless first half. He was subsequently replaced at half time by McCammon.
The Stockport match was one to forget, fears of relegation rose again following this limp and lifeless display from the imps. 279 imps fans travelled and were not rewarded at all once again for their on going loyalty and support.
Thankfully the Easter Monday fixture at Sincil bank was a far better affair, the imps running out easy five goal winners over Darlington who are now doomed to relegation from the Conference Premier. This game saw a stark contrast to the match just two days previous. Lincoln were four nil up by half time and Darlington had had Paul Johnson sent off just before half time. Both Danny Lloyd and Jefferson Louis scored two goals a piece with Jamie Taylor scoring the other goal.
The imps were good for their goals and Taylor will be disappointed to not have added to his solitary strike in this match. For this match the imps began with Bore and Lloyd in the wide areas, I feel that both of these players give the side a far more attacking intent and also give natural width and can stretch the opposition defences and both wingers are more then capable of going round the outside of fullbacks and getting crosses into the box.
This superb performance has given the fans the chance to forget about the Stockport debacle and hope that it was a one off. The side has certainly become stronger over the past five or six matches, Saturday aside, and the signs of improvement are definitely something for us fans to grasp hold of in the hope that next season we will be up in the right end of the league table.
The imps take on Fleetwood this Friday evening live on Premier Sports, if anywhere has it. This will be a very very hard game for the imps and I don't think any but the eternal optimists are expecting anything but defeat. It will be good to see just how far behind we are a side that is challenging to get back into the football league.
This game saw Lincoln play the same back line as they had since Miller had signed, but where as the previous four games had seen us appear tough to beat it was all too easy for Stockport and they tore us apart. It was worryingly that we appeared to have reverted to our previous defensive short comings of gifting opposing players easy chances. This side had Nicolau and Sheridan in the wide midfield areas, both are hard workers who support their full backs but lack the creativity to really pose a consistent threat going forward. Laurent began the game alongside Jefferson Louis in attack, but had a terrible and rather hopeless first half. He was subsequently replaced at half time by McCammon.
The Stockport match was one to forget, fears of relegation rose again following this limp and lifeless display from the imps. 279 imps fans travelled and were not rewarded at all once again for their on going loyalty and support.
Thankfully the Easter Monday fixture at Sincil bank was a far better affair, the imps running out easy five goal winners over Darlington who are now doomed to relegation from the Conference Premier. This game saw a stark contrast to the match just two days previous. Lincoln were four nil up by half time and Darlington had had Paul Johnson sent off just before half time. Both Danny Lloyd and Jefferson Louis scored two goals a piece with Jamie Taylor scoring the other goal.
The imps were good for their goals and Taylor will be disappointed to not have added to his solitary strike in this match. For this match the imps began with Bore and Lloyd in the wide areas, I feel that both of these players give the side a far more attacking intent and also give natural width and can stretch the opposition defences and both wingers are more then capable of going round the outside of fullbacks and getting crosses into the box.
This superb performance has given the fans the chance to forget about the Stockport debacle and hope that it was a one off. The side has certainly become stronger over the past five or six matches, Saturday aside, and the signs of improvement are definitely something for us fans to grasp hold of in the hope that next season we will be up in the right end of the league table.
The imps take on Fleetwood this Friday evening live on Premier Sports, if anywhere has it. This will be a very very hard game for the imps and I don't think any but the eternal optimists are expecting anything but defeat. It will be good to see just how far behind we are a side that is challenging to get back into the football league.
Thursday, 5 April 2012
Crucial away day at Stockport for the Imps
This Saturday Lincoln City travel to the outskirts of Manchester to take on Stockport County at Edgeley Park. Stockport were relegated from the football league last season along with the Imps and like the imps they have found it incredibly hard to adjust to life in non-league football. Stockport are only one place above the relegation places with a four point cushion over Hayes and Yeading.
This game is highly important for the Imps with regards to survival for this season. For me this is a case of we must not lose, I would take a draw as it would keep Stockport below us in the table. If we lose then they will leap frog us and have two points over ourselves. We have shown over the last four games that we are more reliable at the back and I hope that this will continue into this game. Our three game winning run has given us breathing space but should we lose this game the confidence we have built up will ebb away, and we will be right back in the relegation dog fight with crucial games coming up in quick succession.
Stockport have won their last two games beating Bath 4-0at home and then most lately beating Kettering 3-1 away from home last weekend. There is no doubt that they will be full of confidence like we were and will be looking at Lincoln as a side they can beat. Like so many teams at the bottom of this table Stockport have struggled to score goals, scoring only two more then ourselves, their main centre forward Elliott has scored only 7 goals all season.
Lincoln come into this game with a few injuries, Bore, McCammon and Pacquette will all be running it close to be fit enough to feature in this game. Holdsworth will have to take the decision with two games over Easter weekend whether it is worth taking the risk on some if not all of these players. I would expect the Lincoln defence to be the same as it has been for the past few games and remain unchanged. The consistent selection of a settled back four has certainly aided Lincolns quest for survival.
Further forward I would expect Taylor to keep his place in attack, but question marks must be raised over Louis' poor performance against Cambridge. It will be interesting to see whether Laurent will get the nod ahead of him in attack. I would expect the same midfield unless Bore is fit to return to the flank. I feel he give some natural width and pace down the right which is lacking when Sheridans deployed there instead as he drifts infield which tends to clog up the middle of the pitch and he doesn't have the pace to go around full backs in the manner of a more traditional winger.
This is a another big game for the Imps, like most of the run in will be now. I think Stockport will be full of confidence following their last tow results. but I have to go with a draw for this game, 1-1. we look a lot stronger at the back and if we can create chances then I feel that Taylor will score.
This game is highly important for the Imps with regards to survival for this season. For me this is a case of we must not lose, I would take a draw as it would keep Stockport below us in the table. If we lose then they will leap frog us and have two points over ourselves. We have shown over the last four games that we are more reliable at the back and I hope that this will continue into this game. Our three game winning run has given us breathing space but should we lose this game the confidence we have built up will ebb away, and we will be right back in the relegation dog fight with crucial games coming up in quick succession.
Stockport have won their last two games beating Bath 4-0at home and then most lately beating Kettering 3-1 away from home last weekend. There is no doubt that they will be full of confidence like we were and will be looking at Lincoln as a side they can beat. Like so many teams at the bottom of this table Stockport have struggled to score goals, scoring only two more then ourselves, their main centre forward Elliott has scored only 7 goals all season.
Lincoln come into this game with a few injuries, Bore, McCammon and Pacquette will all be running it close to be fit enough to feature in this game. Holdsworth will have to take the decision with two games over Easter weekend whether it is worth taking the risk on some if not all of these players. I would expect the Lincoln defence to be the same as it has been for the past few games and remain unchanged. The consistent selection of a settled back four has certainly aided Lincolns quest for survival.
Further forward I would expect Taylor to keep his place in attack, but question marks must be raised over Louis' poor performance against Cambridge. It will be interesting to see whether Laurent will get the nod ahead of him in attack. I would expect the same midfield unless Bore is fit to return to the flank. I feel he give some natural width and pace down the right which is lacking when Sheridans deployed there instead as he drifts infield which tends to clog up the middle of the pitch and he doesn't have the pace to go around full backs in the manner of a more traditional winger.
This is a another big game for the Imps, like most of the run in will be now. I think Stockport will be full of confidence following their last tow results. but I have to go with a draw for this game, 1-1. we look a lot stronger at the back and if we can create chances then I feel that Taylor will score.
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