Imps on the up again.

We went to a bar called the Pessimist in Lincoln last night. Normally I’d describe myself as the opposite but as I settled down to listen to yesterdays game on the radio I was certainly of the opinion that were City to lose then it would be a question of what might have been and to look forward to a more determined push next season. With the new training facility presumably open and the finances looking in good shape after the Checkatrade success and really good attendances all season, every reason to suppose the Imps could be up there at the business end of the league.

It’s been a difficult couple of weeks following the debacle that was the last home game against Crewe. I think we’re all a bit shell shocked after that. Personally I don’t think the postponement of the Coventry game did us any harm except of course that so many Imps were looking forward to the trip. I just couldn’t see any joy for us points wise from that game. Maybe when we do play them we’ll be in a bit better form.

Looking back on the Mansfield result, that’s a decent point in anybody’s book and it was vital that City came away from Chesterfield with three points if the play off quest was to remain a reality. Once again the fates seemed to be against us as the game was delayed to allow the air ambulance to land on the pitch in a major medical emergency, we all hope that will end well, and it certainly did for the Imps as they recovered from going a goal down to roar back into the play off race and restore their play off credentials courtesy once again of Ollie Palmer. I can’t see why this player has to shrug off the doubts of some fans again and again as Matt Green had to before him. True he’s not the first choice striker thanks mainly to Matt Rhead’s rich vein of form. He’s been written off too and continues to confound his critics of which I’m not one. I think we’ve got a first rate strike force and I enjoy watching all of them.

City's dominance on set pieces laid the foundations for the win. Chesterfield are another team who think they're playing the game the right way and by the same token presumably, City not. I don't want to see Spirites drop out of the league but it's looking likely. They're not the only ones seeking the moral high ground whilst at the same time failing to deliver the points.

So, City emerge from an intense phase in the campaign relatively unscathed and we all look forward to the visit of Grimsby Town. After two local derbies we anticipate the visit of the club we just have to beat. City enjoying a bit better form, Mariners not. How we’ve enjoyed their difficulties this season. We know they peer jealously down the A46 at the season we’ve had, the gates we’re getting. They see in us at the moment the club they’ve always thought themselves to be. Town, rabbits in the headlights, there for the taking.

If you believe that you’ll believe anything.