Oppositions View - Lincoln City

Last updated : 09 March 2008 By Gary Moss
How do you assess your sides recent form?

They didn't play very well at Chesterfield on Friday night as you can imagine but before that they've won six in seven but in my opinion haven't been playing that well even then. They have just been defending better, that was
Jacko...Turnaround
the main problem earlier in the season. They have sorted that out and they are always capable of scoring. That is the key. Even when they were struggling you felt they could get a goal with the strikers they've got. That has been the turning point really, all the hard work at the back.

What are the main differences Peter Jackson has brought to the team in the sides transformation?

They just seem to be battling a lot harder. There were times when John Schofield was manager when they would go a goal down and tend to throw in the towel. They all seem to want to play for Jackson. There is a lot of spirit in the squad now. When they concede a goal there is a belief that they can still win the game. They were losing at Macclesfield the other week and they went on to win 3-1 and that is the only time they have won from behind all season. Jacko has given the players more confidence and you can tell there is more belief.

Are Lincoln clear of relegation worry now and are the play-offs out of the question, because Lincoln are stuck in the middle of the table?

Well, if they didn't get another point all season they could go down but one
Iffy...Filling Jacko's boots
more win and they'll be safe. If they cannot get that in the next few weeks then they deserve to go down.

I think the play-offs are out of the question now. They got to within ten points the other week with one win and everyone started to get carried away but I always thought it was a bridge too far. It was always asking too much. If they can finish towards the top of the bottom half I think the fans will be relatively happy with that. Especially because at one point everyone was fearing the worst of going down.

But, is there still plenty to play for?

Yes to a certain extent. But more so because about eight players are out of contract in the summer and I reckon a serious clearout is likely. So players are fighting for their future at Sincil Bank. I think a lot of players will be looking for new clubs next year unless thay can really shine. But in general I don't think there will be too much excitement in the last part of the season. There are a couple of decent games to look forward to but the last month of the season could be a bit mundane which makes a change.

With Peter Jackson away for surgery what do you lose but what does Iffy Onuora bring?

I think defensively Lincoln may suffer without Jacko. He really has sorted out that area of the park. I think City may lose the momentum they have built under Jackson. If the result on Friday night is anything to go by, Jacko's absence has already had an adverse effect.

I think Iffy will help the strikers. Especially Ben Wright. He is not a bad player but he is a bit lightweight. I think Onuora will help him having been a striker
Frecklington...Celebrates Sincil Bank winner
in his playing days. Players like Lenny John-Lewis should beneift from Iffy and watch out for a young lad in the reserves called Gary King who could get a run out.

What did you make of the sides previous meeting?

I thought it was a really good game actually. Lincoln deserved to win. Ian McParland tried to claim otherwise but I thought Lincoln were by far the better team. That game turned out to be quite key for Lincoln. Jacko had come in a few weeks earlier and they had lost a couple of games. But on that day they ground a result out. I think Lincoln were second bottom at the time and the game was 1-1 for a while. It could have gone either way but Lee Frecklington scored a really good goal and it was arguably the most important result of the season.

Who is Lincoln's danger man?

Louis Dodds. He has been banging them in from all different ranges. The last
Dodds...Danger
couple of goals he has scored have been from 25 yards. I would like to see him up front myself but even out on the left he is banging in the goals. He is on loan from Leicester for the season but I hope he stays.

Who else should we look out for?

If Dany N'Guessan plays he will be a danger man. He was shocking the other night but some days you look at him and he looks Premiership quality - he has got all the tools. Jamie Forrester when he gets in the box could be a problem.

A couple of years ago I was getting a bit frustrated with the youth set up because no-one was really coming through but this season it has really born fruits for us. Jacko has come in and really given them a chance. Minus Lee Frecklington and Owain Warlow a lot of the younger players were not getting a chance under Schofield. Jacko has had the faith in them. Lennell John-Lewis, Daniel Hone and Shane Clarke have done really well. I think there may be a few more getting a chance as well.

What have you made of Notts' season so far?

I think County might go down actually. I didn't rate them when I saw them earlier in the season and from what I've seen it looks like McParland wants them to play their way out of trouble. He wants to play football away from danger. I think that is a recipe for disaster. He strikes me as quite a stubborn manager. They have had a poor season and I have a feeling they could go down. I have a sneaky feeling Wrexham will get out of it.
McParland...poor season for Notts


Who do you see as Notts' danger man?

Richard Butcher who is County's top scorer. He is a good goalscorer from midfield and I always rated him when he was at Lincoln. He is a good all round player. I am quite surprised Spencer Weir-Daley hasn't been given a chance. When he was at Lincoln last season I thought he was brilliant. If Jason Lee gets back in the team he is someone I would be wary of. Maybe with him out of the side they have been lacking a bit of strength in the team.

What sort of encounter are you expecting?

It will not be a classic. Lincoln's confidence will be very low and Notts' must be down. A very, very tight and cagey game with not too many chances. It could be decided by set pieces.

Team news?

Lee Frecklington is still out. Left-back is the problem area though with Lee Ridley and Gray Croft out. They may shift Lee Beevers there with him having a bad game at centre-back. I expect changes anyway.

Score prediction?

Lincoln have only drawn four games all seaosn but I think this could be another.