retired_firoozeh

This story is intended to cover my second season in charge of Lincoln City. The pre-season overview will be fairly brief as most of it already finished.

The 2006-07 season ended with surprise package Lincoln promoted ahead of Hartlepool by 10 points, through a mixture of luck and probably skill. Despite the strong performance last season, this campaign is expected to be a difficult one, with the Imps expected to finish in 21st position. The odds on a second succesive promotion are 40-1.

Coming soon: Meet the gang

retired_firoozeh

This will be the probable first team for the season. The rest of the squad will be introduced over the season.

GK) #13 John Ruddy: Signed for £20K from recently relegated Everton midway through the pre season. A strong all round keeper.
DR) #17 Colin Cryan: A decent defender, but questions still remain over his ability to step up for the big games.
DL) #3 Paul Mayo: Fan fovourite and Supporter's player of the season. Good defence and capable going forwards.
DC) #5 Paul Morgan: Spirited centre back. Could be the key to this year's performance.
DC) #23 Nat Brown: Another good all-round defender with good pace.
DM) #14 Michael Gault: Signed for £40K last year. Strong performances have landed him the captain's armband.
ML) #18 Kris Taylor: Signed for £26K from Walsall after impressing whilst on loan last season.
MR) #16 Stuart Green: Signed for £20K from Crystal Palace. A good player slightly let down by a lack of pace.
AMC) #7 Lee Frecklington: A product of the Lincoln youth program. Good with a ball, but not very physical.
SC) #8 Gary Birch: A strong forward with 11 goals last season. Good teamwork helps during build up play.
SC) #9 Gary O'Neill: A pacey forward signed from Shelbourne on a free transfer.

retired_firoozeh

The pre season consisted of a 3 game tour of Northern Ireland and several money spinning games against Blackburn, Chelsea and Everton.

27/06/07 Larne 1 vs Lincoln City 4
30/06/07 Distiliry 2 vs Lincoln City 2
03/07/07 H&W Welders 1 vs Lincoln City 2
07/07/07 Lincoln City 0 vs Norwich 1
11/07/07 Lincoln City 0 vs Blackburn Rovers 2
14/07/07 Lincoln City 0 vs Chelsea 2
26/07/07 Weston-Super-Mare 0 vs Lincoln City 1
27/07/07 Linfield 1 vs Lincoln City 1

All in all a decent pre season performance from the team. I was especially impressed with the performance against League champions Chelsea.

The season kicks off for real on the 4 August with a home tie against last seasons promotion rivals Hartlepool. Pre match odds are not favourable. Lincoln City 9-4 Hartlepool Evens.

The season kicks off with a strong performance from the Imps. Goals either side of half time from debutant Stuart Green (29 mins) and Kris Taylor (54 mins) seal a home win. On the downside Stuart Green and winger Ryan Semple are taken off with injuries.
http://img71.imageshack.us/img71/270...tlepoolje2.jpg

Post match medical investigation reveals Semple will be out for up to 3 months with a torn groin muscle. Stuart will be out for around 2 weeks with a bruised thigh.

The next match takes place on 7 August away against newly promoted Rochdale.

retired_firoozeh

7 August

Lincoln head into the game at Rochdale as slight favourites. Rochdale 13-8 Lincoln 6-4.

Another good performance sees lincoln run out 3-1 winners in this match. The match results in Gary O'Neill's first goal for Lincoln.
http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/359...lincolnas1.jpg
http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/240...ratingsof8.jpg

retired_firoozeh

Sat 11 August 07
Lincoln (evens) vs Crewe (9-4)

Home advantage means Lincoln go into this match as favourites against a Crewe side who just avoided relegation last season.

An injury to John Ruddy in training means he is replaced by Alan Marriott in goal. A slight reshuffle results in Nat Brown starting his first game of the season in defence. Elsewhere the team is unchanged from the victory over Rochdale.
http://img107.imageshack.us/img107/9...vscrewegs8.jpg


At half time the match is still 0-0, despite Crewe having the more of the ball. Althoigh Crewe have had more possesion, I feel confidant that we can mount a strong second half performance to gain the points today, to that end it's an upbeat team talk as the boys file back out to the pitch.
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A slightly lacklustre second half performance sees the match remain at 0-0. Although the performance was disappointing, it is still a valuable point gained towards survival. The second half almosr sent the crowd to sleep, with just one shot from both sides during the whole 45 minutes. Although we didn't score, the clean sheet has boosted confidence and proved that we can scrap against the established sides.
http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/194...crewefteq8.jpg

retired_firoozeh

22/08/07

Lincoln 0 vs Norwich 2
Carling Cup 1st Round
Darren Huckerby 44 mins
John Eustace 75 mins

We entered this game more in hope than expectation against Championship side Norwich. With Jeff Hughes away on international duty a slight reshuffle saw Martin Gritton replace him on the bench. The team trotted onto the pitch with a cheery 'Good luck' whilst I hoped we could at least keep the score respectable. After a battling first half display it looked as though we would go into half time on an equal footing, however it was not to be. Former Lincoln favourite Darren Huckerby latched onto a 50 yard pass before slotting in a low shot for his 1st goal of the season.
The second half followed the same path as the first. Despite a battling performance the Imps were unable to make any headway. The game was killed off in the 75th minute when a poor clearance was collected by McVeigh who played a ball into the box, it was tucked away by Eustace after taking a lucky deflection from Michael Gault. To make matters worse substitute Martin Gritton had to be taken off with a pulled hamstring.
So once again we've been knocked out at the first hurdle, and we're without anither striker for about a month.

retired_firoozeh

25/08/07 PM

Lincoln vs Barnsley
League 1

Lincoln retained the starting 11 from the defeat to Norwich, with second year scholar Nigel Wallace on the bench in place of the injured Martin Gritton. Although we entered this game as slight favourites I was hoping for a clean sheet, and the chance to sneak a goal at the other end.
The match itself was totally forgetable with neither side really able to break the other's defence. A poor second half saw Nigel Wallace make his debut for Lincoln as he replaced Jamie Forrester. I hoped to exploit his pace with some long passes over the top of the Barnsley Defence, but his inexperience showed as he missed 2 chances late in the game.
Another solid performance slightly let down by the lack of goals, and a below average performance from left back Paul Mayo.

**********************************


25/08/07 PM

Lincoln make new signing
Lincoln have completed the signing of Jon Parkin from Hull City for £45K. Parkin had been a long term target for us having been out of favour at Hull City. His experience with Championship side Hull will no doubt prove useful, and his strength will add a more physical edge to our fairly lightweight attacking lineup. Although short of match fitness I expect him to start in our next game on the 1st September against Northampton Town

retired_firoozeh

01/09/07 PM

Northampton Town vs Lincoln City
Coca Cola League 1

Once again for some unkown reason we entered this match as slight favourites. Several changes were made from the last game, with Stuart Green being moved into the attacking midfield role at the expense of Lee Frecklington, and Joe Anyinsah replacing him on the right flank. Jon Parkin is set for his debut today although his match fitness is lacking. Once again I hope to keep it tight at the back, and maybe sneak a crafty goal on the break.


Contrary to my expectations the 1st half goes well. Jon Parkin scores on his debut on 12 minutes to put Lincoln ahead, before adding a second after 27 minutes. Northampton pull one back 2 minutes later through an Andy Kirk goal. Although there is more good attacking play from both sides, the score remains 2-1 at half time. A good first half display means a happy team talk and no changes to the team.
The second half starts brightly, although Joe Anyinsah has to be taken off with a bruised rib. Although we are 2-1 up the game doesn't really feel secure until Sam Hutchinson is sent off after 72 minutes following a second yellow card. This gives us the advantage we need, and the game is tied up 4 minutes from time when Jon Parkin secures a hat-trick on his debut.

Full Time:
Northampton 1 vs Lincoln City 3
Andy Kirk (29) Jon Parkin (12, 27, 86)
Sam Hutchinson OFF (72) Joe Anyinsah inj (59)
Gary O'Neill inj (89)

retired_firoozeh

01/09/07 PM

The end of August sees Lincoln making a good start to the season. Somewhat surprisingly we now sit 3rd in the league, having only conceded 2 goals so far, obviously the defence has managed to make the step up to the higher level. On the other hand the strike force seems to be struggling. Most of the goals have come from midfield, whislt our top scorer is Jon Parkin who has only played 1 game. The lack of goals has hit Jamie Forrester quite hard in particular as the media are starting to question his ability and his morale drops.

With 12 points on the board from 6 games it's a good start to the season. Bournemouth went down in 21st last season with 41 points, so 48 should see us safe for another year, and we've already got a quarter of those points.

retired_firoozeh

The League 1 on table 1st September 07
http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/1558/leaguewf4.jpg