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!
No comments:
Post a Comment