Early optimism replaced by a sense of déjà vu.

As honeymoons go City’s was over before they even got to the hotel. That feeling that the club really had hit upon a winning formula is now replaced by a realisation that we are in for a long hard slog if we are to achieve anything this season.

Injury and suspension have conspired against the club and the team that took the field against Dagenham and Redbridge last night had a bit of a cobbled together look even at this early stage of the season. The Imps did feature a reserve goalkeeper but it was 43 year old Jimmy Walker, the goalkeeping coach on the bench.

You can’t help but surmise that all the meticulous planning with a view to minimising the risk of injury to players has not produced the hoped for dividend although illness was responsible for Luke Waterfalls absence from the team.

It’s very early days of course but the club do have a chaplain to call on in times of trouble or perhaps the Bishop of Lincoln could give us a mention in his prayers. That pesky little Imp needs to be put firmly back on his column in the Cathedral. He’s done enough mischief lately thank you very much.