All part of the plan as City hit the cruise control button.

Like you probably I’ve got so many memories watching the Imps recently, visiting the likes of Ipswich Town, Arsenal, Wembley and now Everton. The joy and pleasure of seeing my team so frequently at the top of the league, winning a championship and looking capable of winning another.

Having written just last week of the routine nature of the match against Grimsby Town, just another three points on offer I can hardly complain when the Imps treat the game as just another hurdle to negotiate and yet afterwards, whilst being delighted at the win found myself strangely unsatisfied. Not dissatisfied, unsatisfied.

City, having fatally it turned out, wounded Grimsby Town early on with a Harry Toffolo strike worthy of any winner, then not took their foot off the gas, anything but however they seemed to be determined to hang on to their one goal advantage instead of pressing on and getting more. It felt like watching Leeds United in their pomp, we could get more goals but we’re not going to, just to show you we can do it.

Much has been made of referee Mike Deans performance, some saying he looked like he didn’t want to be at Sincil Bank and I don’t agree with that. For me City rather forced his hand, he was a bit card happy but that’s probably a reflection of the level he normally operates at and we know referees are encouraged to show cards for not all that much, we certainly got that but I think City’s delaying tactics annoyed him and I don’t blame him because they annoyed me too. So many times we have argued for a strong referee on these highly charged occasions so we shouldn’t grouse when we get one. Be careful what you wish for as the saying goes.

There are two clubs I can think of currently in league two who don’t like City’s present ascendancy, both local and both play in black and white stripes. Both think their place in the football firmament is considerably above the Imps and they don’t like it one bit. One we played yesterday and the other we play shortly. One looks a real basket case and to be fair the other, Grimsby Town, is improving but on yesterdays evidence has considerable catching up to do.

I saw on social media a comment by a Mariners fan along the lines of enjoy it while it lasts, the Cowleys will move on and you’ll be back at the bottom. The Cowleys will move on of course we all know that but what we have at the moment which other clubs probably do not, is a board of directors looking to the future, determined to make the best of the current situation to ensure that when the inevitable happens there is a good chance of continuity. I’d be more bothered about losing them if I’m honest.