Imps get a point that should have been three

Lincoln were left to rue a multitude of missed chances against a Telford side who were there for the taking on Saturday. But for some woeful finishing from the Imps this would have been a convincing and much needed victory that would have pulled us seven points clear of the relegation zone, as it is it was only a point gained at home to a fellow relegation candidates AFC Telford and this leaves us only five points above twenty first placed side Alfreton who are the next side we take on at Sincil Bank in a few weeks.

The game started off how it would carry on for the full ninety minutes, efforts from both teams were exchanged, but none were ever threatening to hit the back of the net. as things turned out it was Kyle Perry, on loan from the imps, who open the scoring. It was a completely avoidable goal like so many we have seen conceded this season from Lincoln, both Robson and Gowling left the rotund striker completely free on the edge of the six yard box and even allowed him enough time to bring the ball down and drive it with his left foot into back of the net off of the underside of the bar.

Perry milked the abuse he received from the home fans following his opening goal, his comments in the media before the game had made sure that he would not be welcomed back with open arms to the club that is still his employer. It does make me wonder how a returning hero such as Drewe Broughton or Ben Hutchinson may be greeted if this is the reception for a player who did manage to get a few goals in a Lincoln shirt.

Telfords lead did not last long though it took only eight minutes for the imps to draw level. A free kick was conceded on the edge of the Telford box by a foul on Power. Nutter stepped up to curl it into the goal with his left foot, hi shot was deflected off of Telford Centre back Blackburn leaving Ryan Young no chance of keeping the ball out of the net.

The game then ebbed and flowed with either team taking it in turns to attack, Lincoln would miss several good chances. Almond had three opportunities throughout the game to at least test the keeper, but all three went pretty much out of the ground, Jefferson Louis late on also hit the ball well over the bar from just a few yards out. It was this lack of composure when in sight of goal that hindered and ultimately cost the Imps the chance to take the win.

The closest the Imps came to getting that winning goal was from substitute Taylor, on for the final ten minutes in place of Pacquette, a long free kick forward from Anyon was nodded down into the path of Taylor by Gowling but it was slightly too high for the striker and his improvised flick/volley went narrowly past the post.

This game saw a much improved attacking performance from the Imps, but we saw a return of the problem that has cost us so much over the past few season the inability to hit the back of the net. This seemed to be down to a lack of composure and a bit of panicking from the attacking players when presented with good opportunities. Every shot seemed to be hit as hard as possible instead of placed on target, regardless of distance from goal. this is something that will hopefully be worked on in training in the next week.

Next up is the short trip away to Mansfield at the weekend. This game will be a much sterner test then Telford and as such it will be imperative that we take our chances as it is doubtful we will have half as many to miss as this weekend.

Imps take on Telford in relegation survival clash

Tomorrow afternoon the Imps take on one of the few sides beneath us in the table AFC Telford. There is just a one point gap between the two sides, but Telfords one game advantage means that it is imperative that the Imps don't lose at home to a relegation rival.

It appeared earlier today that Lincoln had made yet another signing this season in striker Mark McCammon, this has hit a snag though due to his registration at previous club Braintree apparently not cancelled. As it stands it is highley unlikely that the 33 year old Barbados international will be involved in the match day squad for tomorrow. There was further bad news for the Imps earlier in the week when winger Conal Platt suffered a fractured tibia in his left leg, he will play no further part this season but it is hoped that he may return for the start of next season.

And so, to the players who will be available for tomorrows game. Following the brilliant and unexpected point earned away to Kidderminster I would personally not look to change much in terms of the starting eleven, but I am not David Holdsworth. As such I do expect there to be a few changes, a return to the starting eleven for Pacquette would be an attacking move, returning to a 442 instead of the more defensive 433 employed in the previous game. A change to 442 would cause a dilemma of where to play Power, if at all, with both Thompson and Christophe seemingly the first choice centre midfield pairing giving more cover in front of a still leaky back line.

Telford won their previous game at home to Braintree 1-0, with Ryan Brooke heading in the solitary goal. On loan Telford striker Kyle Perry has been permitted by Lincoln to play against his parent club, something which is uncommon in loan deals for fairly obvious reasons. I would hope that with our knowledge of what perry can and very much can't do I would hope that we will be able to keep his impact on this game to a minimum.

As I have stated earlier on we should in no way lose this game, we can't afford to give points to direct rivals in the league especially being the home side. I do think that the imps will have drawn a lot of confidence from the point gained in the previous match and will carry that forward into this match. Whilst we only managed one effort on goal we should be able to express more attacking intent at home to a side lower in the table and have a higher share of possession.

I am going to go for a 2-1 win to the Imps, I would say 2-0 but I can't see us keeping a clean sheet regardless of the opposition. I hope there is a good crowd for this highly important game tomorrow, a win and we can relieve some pressure of being so close to the relegation zone.

Andres Villas Boas is on the brink

Tonight's match for Chelsea is one of those that is billed as the decisive match of the season, or in this case the managers reign. Whilst I don't think victory tonight is essential for AVB to keep his job, I do think that with each time he speaks he seems to be cutting an isolated figure. He speaks of having the backing of the owner, Roman Abramovich, yet there has been no comments made form him either positive or negative.

It is getting to a point now that I feel he will need Abramovich to come and state whether he does give his backing to AVB and as such has fully bought into his 'project'. It is clear that things arent going well behind the scenes with rumours of dissent and discourse amongst the senior players, mainly those players that were part of the hugely successful Mourinho side over five years ago.

Is this where the problem lies, that some of these Chelsea players still see their current manager as the scout that he was under Mourinho? Has AVB tried too hard to stamp his authority on the squad and he is facing a rebellion from within? For me it certainly looks this way, the most important man in the club should be that manager and the owner should come out and clearly state this in public.

When he was appointed it was stated that AVB was the man to lead Chelsea in the long run and that he would be given time to transform an ageing squad, now is the time to show that faith. I personally think there is no point in changing the manager at this stage, I would give him until the end of the season at least and then re-asses the situation then. He definitely has the potential and the ability to lead a 'big' club, he did it superbly with Porto, who lets not forget are historically and trophy wise far more successful then Chelsea.

Tonight is a massive game, but not for what is going on in the back ground, it is important as it is a Champions league game and Napoli are a very strong side, so strong they came through their group where as Manchester City ended up in the Europa League. There is still a third of the season to go and whilst many think it will only get worse, it can always get a lot better and we must remember that this manager is working for the long term.

What a week for the Rossoneri!

Following the hard earned victory over Udinese last weekend, a result that saw Milan break their curse of struggling to take points of their title rivals, we saw one of the finest displays in the San Siro all season with the destruction of a below par Arsenal. It really was a game of men against boys.

The ease at which the victory came was really quite breathtaking Ibrahimovic, so often criticised by the English media as a flat track bully, took charge of the game and dominated the evenings proceedings. Both he and Robinho took it in turns to drop deep into the space behind the Arsenal midfield, but it was Zlatan who demonstrated his ability to control a game and play as a more traditional number ten. Something that he has done brilliantly on several occasions this season.

Let us not forget that whilst people have been stating that this is a poor and injury ridden Arsenal side Milan have virtually a whole team of players unavailable through injury. Players such as Pato, Aquilani and Nesta were all not fit enough to start the game. I am hoping that the return of the injured masses will really galvanise Milan and give them a new lease of life for the title run in. The title run in was given another boost with Juventus failing to breakdown Parma, and following this weekends comfortable victory over Cesena Milan remain top of the standings, one point above of Juventus who still have one game in hand.

I am going to the Emirates on the 6th or March, I was hoping to see a great game between two of Europe's largest sides. Following the first leg it appears it will be a victory parade for Milan who will surely need just one goal to put the tie to bed, if it isn't already.

Before then thoguh Milan will take on Juventus on Saturday in the San Siro, a huge game that really could point to where the title is going this season. If Milan can win then it will make Juves match in hand irrelevant but on the other hand it could give the Turin side the points and a game advantage. this is without mentioning any psychological blow a result of this magnitude could have.

This time next week I hope we are looking at another monumental victory for AC Milan.

One shot and one point for the Imps

Before the game on Saturday I would have bitten your arm off if you offered Lincoln a point away from home to Kidderminster I even predicted a rather heavy defeat, as it turns out we will feel a bit aggrieved that we only got the one. It took a stoppage time equaliser from substitute Steve Guinan to give the hosts a share of the spoils in front of 2081 fans in the Aggborough stadium.

As with so many games this season the starting line up was different from the previous match, against Braintree. Williams returned to the back line, replacing Watson. Almond, fresh from scoring on his debut as a second half substitute also made the starting eleven alongside fellow new signing Rodney. Alan Power was available again following his suspension and returned to the side in a 4-3-3 formation. Pacquette, Platt and Nicolau dropped to the bench.

Lincoln took a surprising lead after twenty minutes, Jefferson Louis scoring his second goal for the club getting on the end of Louis Almonds free kick. This turned out to be the only shot on target the Imps would manage in the game.

There was 172 travelling Imps in attendance to see a  spirited Lincoln side dig in and defend the one goal lead resolutely until towards the end. Kidderminster did miss some good chances though, and with the game drawing to an end it appeared that lady luck was shining on the Imps but the up stepped Steve Guinan so many times in the past a thorne in Lincoln's side, it was he would have the last say in this match.

Whilst a point is a great result, it felt much more like a defeat thanks to the lateness of the equalising goal, I really thought we would cling on and claim a rare win. It was just not to be unfortunately, but it was a welcome change to battle hard and get a draw after the defensive capitulation in mid-week.

Next up for this Imps is a home game against Telford, just one place below us in the table, this is surely a must win game so I urge everybody to get down to Sincil Bank and get behind the team and show our support, we really can't afford to lose being only four points above the dreaded relegation places.

Imps travel to sixth placed Kidderminster

After a really quite shocking defensive performance in mid week against part time Braintree, where three goals were conceded, the imps face what should be a much sterner test against play off chasing Kidderminster Harriers. The reverse fixture saw the Imps lose 1-0.

This will be Kidderminsters first game in the league since the 28th January, they have played an FA trophy fixture in this time losing to Luton 2-1 at home. The lack of match practice could be of advantage to the Imps, but I wont hold my breath after the previous outing. It was very good to see three goals scored by the side but it came at the expense of a woeful defensive performance.

Kidderminster have score 57 goals in the league this season and 30 at home, they must be eagerly anticipating playing the Imps who on their travels have conceded 28 goals, but only scored 14. The stats haven't looked good for Lincoln all season and I struggle to see how we can get anything more then a draw against one of the leagues top sides.

I would expect Holdsworth to make some changes to the side for this game, as he always does, and I would think he will start with bringing Williams back in place of the much criticised Watson, who was dreadful alongside Gowling in their previous outing. If Robson has returned to fitness I can see him getting the nod at right back instead of Bore, who made his début in the last match, purely on the fact that he has looked solid if unspectacular in his handful of games for the Imps so far.

At least there was signs of promise in the front pair of Louis and Pacquette, who seemed to link up well together and cause problems with their work rate, strength and determination. But with so many players now at Holdsworths disposal who knows what eleven he will choose to start the game.

Whilst I want to think that we will win this game I struggle to see how following the midweek defensive shambles, I am going for a 3-1 defeat

Imps lucky to salvage a draw!

Six goals were scored in one of the strangest games of football I have seen in recent memory. It took less then a minute for Lincoln to take the lead through debutant Louis. A long ball forward from Anyon was poorly defended, like the whole game, Louis headed the ball and it looped over the head of Braintree keeper McDonald.

At this moment the Imps faithful were all dreaming of how many goals we could get, it didn't take long for the second goal to come, some poor positional defending from the imps allowed Jai Reason to level the scores, only three minutes had passed and we had already seen two goals. Following this brilliant start to the game it died completely, very little occurred for the rest of the first half, a few more events of poor decision making and fluffed clearances were about it. the only other 'real' chance in the first half came from Christophe, who tried to flick a ball into the net, but it was saved well.

Braintree's second goal came from yet more terrible defending,  a corner seemed to just go straight into the net at the front post, despite a Lincoln defender covering that area, all he had to do was stand upright and the ball would have hit him, but he inexplicably ducked out of its path. As you will notice all of the goals scored so far have a recurring theme, poor defending. Like the first goal it didn't take long for the reply, Tyrone Thompson with a long range effort swerving off of his left foot into the bottom corner of the goal, the Braintree keeper had no chance with this strike. A good goal from a man not known for any attacking intent.

Braintree then went on to score what they thought was the winner, a superbly taken free kick hit the post and rolled across the goal line. Whilst the Lincoln defenders just stood and watched the Braintree players were pro active and followed the ball, resulting in an uncontested tap in for Assombalonga from a yard out with only three minutes remaining of the game.

It looked as though the imps were down and out, but from no where, substitute, and another débutante, the 41st player of the season, Almond smashed in a loose ball form the edge of the area on the volley to salvage something from the game. Braintree then had the final attack of the game, yet more sloppy and hesitant defending allowed Assombalonga a clear run through on goal, he knocked the ball round Anyon and then whilst hurdling over the imps keeper took a tumble from minimal contact. The ref showed him a second yellow card for diving and his participation in the game ended slightly early.

In my opinion we were very lucky, on another day a ref could have easily given the penalty and we could have lost the game. There was contact with Anyon and it was a clear goal scoring chance, had he decided to just tap the ball in instead of a dramatic fall it would have been all over and another embarrassing home defeat would have occurred. Luckily, we got our bit of luck.

I can't help but feel that if Braintree had been more clinical then they could have easily scored five or six goals against us last night, the defending was the worst I had seen at the bank, and that is saying something! None of the goals we conceded were through good play on Braintree's part, it was down to basic errors and what seemed a lack of communication and a lack of someone taking charge at the back. We have got away with it tonight, but next time we may not be so fortunate.

To score three goals at home and still not win when you are playing a part-time team is, for me, unforgivable.

Milan need to raise their game for Arsenal

The champions league returns this week, and for Milan it is a big test, a game against inconsistent Arsenal, who currently lay fourth in the Premier league. Whilst Milan top the Serie A table at the moment, the problem for the Rossoneri this season has been performing against other 'larger' sides. and Arsenal will definitely prove a stern test for Milan, the injuries may be beginning to ease, but the strength of the squad still concerns me.

Luckily Arsenal are not in great form this season, whilst Van Persie has been in excellent form scoring a ton of goals, if he doesn't get on the score sheet, Arsenal have struggled to break some teams down. I am hopeful that a returning Nesta can nullify the threat of Van Persie, like he has with so many great strikers over the years. If this can be achieved it gives Milan a real chance to take a lead to London.

The other end of the pitch sees Ibrahimovic return following his domestic suspension, the pressure will once again return on him to produce in the big games. there is no doubting the players quality, but there are still doubts about his aptitude in more crucial games. If Zlatan can perform then Milan will score goals, his positioning this season has seen him influence games far more then last season, playing more like a number ten, then the target man he has done in the preceding few seasons in his career. we have seen his creativity as well as his clinical finishing put opposition defences to the sword.

In the middle of the park we look jaded, Seedorf, Van Bommel and Ambrosini have all seen better days, a new injection of energy is needed, Boateng looks to miss though injury, a player who has the dynamism needed to combat Arsenals pacey counter attacking style. If Milan can control the possession then energy isn't a huge problem, but if we start chasing the ball then the age of some players may begin to show.

This will be a close game, I think it may well finish a draw, with all to play for in the second leg

Maxi makes instant Impact in vital win for Milan

I don't think many people were expecting much from winter arrival Maxi Lopes, on loan form Catania, but he certainly gave his doubters something to think about following his first goal for the Rossoneri in a crucial game against outside title contenders Udinese in the Stadio Fruili in Udine.

The seemingly ageless Di Natale gave the hosts the lead in the 19th minute, his seventeenth goal this season and current top goal scorer in Serie A, two goals ahead of Milan's Ibrahimovic. At this point it appeared that a patched up Milan side was going to continue its poor form of this season by being unable to defeat any of their direct title rivals.

This all changed in the 77th Minute when the Argentine striker slotted the ball home with his left foot in the centre of the Udinese penalty area. This goal then galvanised the Milan attack, only seven minutes later the rising star that is El Shaarawy scored what turned out to be the winner, this gave Milan a massive three points away from home.

Next up for Milan is in the Champions League against inconsistent Arsenal, who this weekend came form behind in similar circumstances to beat Sunderland away from home 2-1. There is hope that some of the injured players may be able to return to the squad for the European fixture. Ibrahimovic will be available for this game, his ban only affecting domestic fixtures. Nesta, Pato and Flamini have all trained ahead of this fixture. All three players would definitely strengthen the squad for the first leg.

Back in Serie A this win puts Milan back on top of the table, although only two points ahead of Juventus, who also have two games in hand. It is looking like this title will go right to the wire.

The Imps have a second date with Braintree

Weather permitting Lincoln City will take on Braintree in the re-arranged fixture from the previous weekend on Tuesday. The team haven't played since the away defeat to Kettering on the 28th of January. Since that date there have been a few new signings for manager David Holdsworth.

These new signings, like the rest of the team have been kicking their heels waiting for the chance to prove their worth to the fans. We can only hope that the time has been well spent on the training ground working on integrating the new signings into the match day squad. The break could be a blessing in disguise for a side that has used so many players this season.

Braintree have had a fantastic season and currently lie in 13th place, a comfortable twelve points ahead of ourselves. Let us not forget that they are a part time team, a side that has stuck to playing basic, or effective football, depending on your view point. As they are a part time team some of their players will be working in the run up to this fixture and the travel up North, this should help the Imps, but as we know this is rarely the case for the side over the past season.

 Jefferson Louis, Louis Almond, Peter Bore and Nialle Rodney will all be looking to make their débuts for the Imps this Tuesday night. Louis should have no problem linking up with Pacquette in attack , they are cousins and have also played together previously in their well travelled careers.

Due to the large gap between fixtures for both sides recent form does go out of the window a bit, the Imps still remain very inconsistent and have really struggled to get a good run of games going at any point this season, with a second successive relegation still a strong possibility they will need to start picking up some hard points soon.

I am going to predict a home win for the Imps, the long travel for a side that will have players working before the fixture will not be ideal preparation and as a result I think they will battle hard but fall just short. It will be close but I think a narrow 1-0 home win is in order to get the Imps some distance from the relegation places.

Zlatan sees red as Milan fail to break down Napoli

What should have been a great match between two of the best sides Italy has to offer turned into one of those 0-0 draws that won't live long in the memory. The most important event to have occurred was the sending off for top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic for a stupid slap on Aronica in the second half. It was a deserved red, raising you hands is unforgivable in the modern game.

Robinho had the best chance for Milan, put through by a flick on off of the head of Ibrahinovic but his finish, like so many times this season, was very poor, slotting the ball wide for only 8 yards out. There were not too many openings in this game.

The slow build up that Milan employed today played right into the hands of Napoli, they are renowned as one of the best counter-attacking sides in the world, let alone Serie A. The speed with which they can break is quite impressive, Lavezzi, Cavani and Hamsik are all capable of playing anywhere across their attacking trio. Cavani at times today was dropping very deep and working hard to get behind the ball.

The amount of injuries that Milan are experiencing is hampering the side at the moment, the squad will be further stretched following the suspension that Zlatan will pick up for his red, it could even include the vital top of the table clash against Juventus. Today saw Emmanuelson once again playing on the right of the midfield trio, and once again he was poor. I would much rather his utilised as a left sided player, he has shown when playing there previously that he can provide good width and decent service with his left foot.

Milan never really looked like conceding to Napoli, but we never looked like getting the goal either, even when Zlatan was on the pitch, the lack of spark and service to Zlatan was very clear today, he was feeding of long balls and miss-placed passes, often having to come very deep to get the ball. I am not sure if Maxi is anyway near up to the standard to play as a striker for Milan. I hope that Pato can return to fitness soon as he can give the side some pace and movement which was lacking in the final third today.

In midfield we are missing Boateng and Aquilani, both are capable of providing that pass or bit of magic to unlock a defence. We still look to miss balance in the side, I feel that in time Mesbah will give us a great attacking option from left back, similar to Abate down the right flank.

It was another game that Milan failed to impose themselves on, we have really struggled against the fellow title contenders this season, and this could well prove to be our Achilles heal, being top scorers in the league doesn't mean anything if you can't produce against the best defences.

There is still along way to go this season, but with Zlatan missing the next few games it is hard to see where the goals are going to come from...I hope Maxi or El Shaarawy can step up to the plate in his absence, but they are massive boots to fill!

Milan look to get back to winning ways against Napoli

The injury list just seems to keep on growing which has added to some eyebrow raising loan signings at the end of the transfer window. Muntari is on loan from Inter and Maxi Lopez on a similar deal from Catania. Neither of these signings inspire, they are, I hope, stop gap players to use in case the worst happens and more players become unavailable.

I have been impressed with the latest recruit to the problem left back position, Mesbah, in the few games he has played so far he has looked calm on the ball and eager to get forward to help the attack. He looks to give the side a good balance, being a similar type of player to Abate on the opposite flank.

Milan fell to a pretty poor 2-0 defeat in Rome to Lazio in midweek. One big problem that Milan have had this season is being able to perform against the bigger sides in the league, it is slightly worrying that we dont seem to be getting three points in these matches. Although with the vast number of injuries it is slightly understandable that the side is looking sluggish.

Napoli are laying 13 points behind at this point in 7th place in Serie A. Following a superb season last year they are struggling to fully recapture that form. Alot of signings were made in the summer, and it appears that some of those were not needed and as such have upset the squad slightly.


Milan know that they can't afford a slip up against Napoli this weekend, as they would risk falling seven points behind current leaders Juventus if all games in hand were played. I expect Milan will win, but it won't be pretty, 2-1 I will stick my neck out at.

Braintree look to do the double!

This time last year I would have been amazed if someone said to me that we would be in the same league as Braintree, but as it stands at the moment we are not only in that position but also with the possibility of being beaten by them twice in one season.

The away defeat to Braintree back at the beginning of December was described at the time as 'the lowest point in the clubs history'. I wish it still was, as since that night we have sunk to even lower points. Points that can, if thought about for too long, can make a grown man lose all sanity.

Braintree have had a fantastic season and currently lie in 13th place, twelve points ahead of ourselves. Let us not forget that they are a part time team, a side that has stuck to playing basic, or effective football, depending on your view point. They would love to have a budget as big as ours, to have the attraction to potential players that our club has and to have a fan base half as large as ours.

And so we turn to this weekends game, the Holdsworth revolving door policy has been back in full force over the past few days, with Jefferson Louis, Louis Almond, Peter Bore and Nialle Rodney all signed on transfer deadline day. Matthew Pearson was recalled by parent club Blackburn and Canadian Gavin McCallum was released by the club, yet another paid off player since we were told in the summer that this wouldn't happen again.

I would expect Jefferson Louis to be handed his début this weekend and play alongside Pacquette in attack, they are cousins and have played together previously in their much travelled careers. As for the other new signings, I am not sure that any of them will start the game, but expect to see some of them get some minutes coming off the bench.

Braintree come into the game having only lost one game in their previous seven. That defeat coming away to top of the table Fleetwood, but does include five draws. They are certainly a team that is hard to beat and will fight hard to at least claim a draw.

As for Lincoln, we remain frustratingly inconsistent and with yet more new players to blend into the, what seems like a make shift squad, I am hoping that we don't lose this match. I am going to predict a 2-2 draw, although I do suspect it could be a 0-0.