Getting nervous? Don’t, just look at the league table.

On the face of it, Lincoln City dropped points against an unlikely opponent yesterday at Sincil Bank. I don’t know why any of us were surprised. Macclesfield are battling for their league lives. Despite dropping to the foot of the table, they probably enjoyed their day at the summit as City, not for the first time found themselves scrabbling for a point against a side revelling in their discomfort.

It didn’t look as if the Imps were in for any kind of frustration at the start as they quickly clicked into gear moving the ball about like, well like champions. City looked like taking the lead any moment only to find a goalkeeper in inspired form pulling off two magnificent saves to deny the Imps the lead. It was no standard league two stopper keeping the Imps at bay though. Kieran O’Hara is a name I think we’ll see in the future, not necessarily for his present club Manchester United but I’m sure that’s not the last we’ll hear of him.

Of course, there’s the enigma of football at league two level. We may think of Macclesfield as a footballing backwater but with Manchester and Liverpool just down the road, to name but two football hotspots, there’s no shortage of players looking to get out from the premierships massive rosters to get some game time.

Anyway, back to business and, despite another bump in the road our heroes now find themselves within a hairsbreadth of league one football next season. As I commented before, whilst City would be happy for the season to end tomorrow the others need ten, maybe fifteen games to haul City in. There are just six games left, seven for Bury. What of Bury I hear you ask? Well, their previous inexorable rise was stopped in their tracks yesterday. The new dark horses coming up on the rails are Tranmere but they are thirteen points behind the Imps who continue to amass points at an average of two per game. As we all know, points mean prizes and I don’t mean second or third.

City have a tough run in, that’s for sure but included in the remaining games are MK Dons, next up away, and Tranmere, at home. The beauty of City’s present position is that a draw against either of those opponents effectively delivers a knock out blow and as we know whilst City don’t always win they rarely lose so strap in, it’s going to be exciting.

It’s not often we have a genuine superstar in the away dugout at Sincil Bank so how did Sol Campbell do, has he got what it takes to be a manager? On this evidence very much so I’d say. Of course he couldn’t have started from a less advantaged position at Macc and may not be able to save their league lives but he was animated and enthusiastic, identified one of City’s main goal threats, which is more than some of our own supporters can, and put the shackles on him. Oh and, as the ladies in our party repeatedly reminded me he’s dapper. Very dapper. Note to self. Well tailored jacket, pressed trousers and polished shoes. Not that difficult is it, why don’t I look like that?

See you all at Milton Keynes.

Concentration is the key. Hope the players are doing that too.

About twenty years ago when I went to work in Boston I quickly became friends with a Boston United fan from work. After establishing he had one head, two arms and two legs (yes and the requisite numbers of fingers and toes, cheeky!) He was therefore quite safe to talk football with and, let’s face it, it’s far preferable to talk football, even with a Pilgrim than work.

Anyway, I remember saying, given that it was the time of Keith once I’d been there a while and the never-ending quest for promotion through the playoffs, that we just didn’t have unimportant games at Sincil Bank any more. My friend was sceptical but it was true and it’s true now so, as I sit at my keyboard on a Friday the tempting headline is, it’s now or never, or City in the biggest game of the season. That’s because every game is the biggest game of the season. In fact you could say the biggest game for twenty seasons.

Not that it’s going to be easy tomorrow. Macclesfield have their own pressing concerns and it’s to do with leaving league two, but for all the wrong reasons. Once again we have a celebrated former player in the away dugout. I said I admired Paul Scholes for going into management, not that it did him much good and I admire Sol Campbell for the same reason. Its not easy starting at a level he has little experience of and putting himself in the firing line of the comedians in the stands. Whether we’ll get much of that tomorrow I don’t know, Scholesy didn’t get a lot of grief and I suspect a lot of people, like me will rather admire him for starting at the bottom, with due respect to the non league scene.

What I don’t expect to see is a manager with his hood up and hands in pockets. Campbell knows he has a mighty job to do and if he fails at it, that’s the end of his management career and he’ll be banished to the lesser fringes of the punditry world like another failed manager I wouldn’t care to name.

Sure footed City have their eyes on the prize.

The Americans say us Brits fall at every hurdle bar the last. Danny Cowley engineers his teams to be strongest in the second half of games and finding their best form at the end of the season. Once again, that’s proving to be the case. As for a hurdle race, looking back at the season so far, the Imps have cleared most of them.

The days are lengthening now and, whilst one hesitates to tempt providence, City are more and more looking the part as they press on to the end of the season. Those hiccups when City were drawing rather than winning and uncharacteristically letting things slip at the end of games now look just that, hiccups. That point at Mansfield was far more important in denying the Stags two points than City failing to gain them. The home form is good again. Bury had another slip yesterday, it would be churlish not to thank our neighbours for that, they will be glad they’ve been able to assist us of course. Stags, softened up by City last Monday lost further ground and City now have a decent cushion at the top.

Just looking around us I can’t help contrasting Lincoln with Notts County, their hapless chairman forced to put the club up for sale having spent a fortune trying to turn last seasons near miss into promotion, making the wrong choices of manager and personally embarrassing himself and look at them now. Was that money theirs to spend, like City or was it a punt on glory, like so many others before with foundations built on sand? Either way, it gives me no pleasure in seeing their plight. I can’t see them surviving in the league, mores the pity in my view.

Contrasting City with Magpies, I’m sure they see themselves as a much bigger club than us but our club quietly gets on with the business of progressing up the leagues. Our chairman stays out of the limelight, contenting himself with missives of encouragement, praise for the players and supporters. The club is run on businesslike ethics with experts in place to advise and progress, specialists like Liam Scully and of course our managers, the Cowleys. How often has Lincoln City’s manager been on football focus? Rarely. Did they sound like they were ready to jump any time soon? I got the impression from them that this was only the start of the journey.

It’s a beautiful morning. Have a nice day.

Master and pupil. Must do better.

Any notions that the Cowley brothers might have lessons to learn from Paul Scholes, as managers at least, were firmly dispelled last night as Lincoln City swept aside Oldham Athletic in as easy a win as they’ve had all season at home.

Not that it looked as if it was going to be easy as Oldham got in to their stride early on leaving City to do the ugly stuff and boy was it ugly, lumping the ball with the wind behind them to the big man, just like everyone says we do.

Eventually though Brazil morphed into Argentina as Athletic decided more muscle was needed and then, am I being unkind? Oldham perhaps displayed the aspect of the game that Scholes had been particularly impressing on his side, tackling. Ouch. Off you go and City found themselves facing ten men.

I did wonder, as the first half wore on, if Matt Rhead had been told to leave it all on the pitch in the first half as he was going off at half time. Danny Cowley seemed to imply it was a bit more off the cuff tactically rather than premeditated in his interview but anyway, City went in at the break ahead thanks to a very well worked goal from Harry Toffolo and a man up. As it happens they used the advantage of a stiff following wind better than Oldham who spent most of the second half launching the ball straight from the goalkeeper into the arms of Matt Gilks.

The second half was a different story as we hoped it might be, I watched a season of moonball and even if the opposition still think we’re playing it we’re not except for when necessary and clearly what was needed against the wind was a deal more guile which was what we got and very pleasing it was too. Seldom have we been treated to such an assured second half and the only slight concern was an opportunity, several opportunities actually, to improve on our goal difference which was inferior to Bury’s but is now equal. It would have been good to put some distance between the two. Five nil wouldn’t have flattered the Imps against ten men and the chances were there but not taken.

However the one that was taken in the second half was a glorious effort from Danny Rowe. Not just a goal, a Danny Rowe goal so we all went home happy. It had been a most enjoyable evening.

I was looking forward to seeing Paul Scholes. I admire any former great prepared to put his reputation on the line and try his hand at management. He would have done well to look to his left, the Cowley brothers animated, alive, thoughtful. Scholes, hood up, hands in pockets. The body language said I’m not sure I want to be here. Quite what Sir Alex might have thought one can only imagine.

Danny Rowes in to inspire another home win.

Cometh the hour cometh the man. Previously it was Matt Rhead coming on to remind us all he’s far from a spent force in Lincoln City’s promotion bid, so much so that his partnership with John Akinde was reprised for the trip to Forest Green Rovers and again last night in the home clash with Yeovil Town but it was Danny Rowe who revitalised an Imps side who were starting to flag in their quest to get back to winning ways at Sincil Bank.

After two marvellous wins on the road to underline City’s quest for the summit of league two come the end of the season, the Imps badly needed a performance and win at home to keep things moving along. Well one out of two ain’t bad and City ensured whatever happens later today they will still be top come five o’clock.

Perhaps I’m being a bit harsh on our heroes, you certainly couldn’t criticise City’s work rate but maybe inspiration was a little hard to come by as City, for me, found it hard going against, once again opponents whose own ambition was limited to getting in the Imps way. A booking for Yeovil’s keeper very early in the match for time wasting bore witness to their game plan.

It was going to need a spark of inspiration from somewhere and that materialised with the introduction of Rowe that eventually saw Mark O’Hara head home to give City a much needed win and keep the show on the road as far as the championship is concened.

It could all have been so different had Harry Anderson scored when one on one with the keeper. I’d hoped he would have the confidence to go round the stopper but it wasn’t to be and there were several other opportunities to open the scoring which somehow never came to pass. On reflection though it was a good result certainly and we shouldn’t be too churlish in our praise for an Imps side clearly letting nerves affect their quest for glory.

City had too much in the tank for Yeovil though and once they went behind had no answer to the Imps charge giving rise to a Nicky Cowley fist pump, not seen at Sincil Bank for a while, and as ever enthusiastically saluted by the crowd in the Coop stand who had waited for the moment which was gleefully embraced.

Luxe, Calme et Volupté

It’s a painting by Henri Matisse. I love Matisse although I’m not all that keen on that painting. Where is all this going I hear you ask? Well it means Luxury Calm and Pleasure and that’s what I felt ironically when City weren’t playing at all but Bury were, last Tuesday night and as we all know, just for once they didn’t win, so the Imps remained at the top of the table.

That in itself is neither here nor there but a succession of results and games seemed to put City’s season into perspective. I watched Liverpool draw a game they desperately needed to win and then I watched Spurs marvellous performance in Dortmund flicking between twitter and the game for the score from Cheltenham. In its own way that Spurs snatch and grab win coming as it did after an all out attacking display by the German side kind of reminded me of the preceding Saturdays win at Forest Green Rovers and I thought, for the first time, you know we’re going to do this.

Now I’m far from confident Bury won’t overtake us, they are the form team at the moment despite that lapse but that isn’t the be all and end all, the prize is for City to be playing in league one next season.

It’s tempting to think the Imps have two winnable home games coming up. I think we all know the reality could present a considerable difficulty but, no matter, the Imps will be greatly encouraged by their performance last Saturday and furthermore the change in formation and tactics will have given the manager plenty to think about and more importantly the opposition managers too. Do they prepare for a lone striker or a pair? The Imps, for my money have been a bit predictable at home and few sides prosper when faced with stifling opposition but now have another string to their bow.

I fully expect City to get back to winning ways tonight though and then a sort of coming round in a circle that you often get in football with the visit of Oldham Athletic who, for me were there at the start of City’s renaissance as we knocked them out of the FA Cup. Oldham’s manager saw fit to apologise to their fans for the ignominy of being beaten by such minnows as the Imps. They were soon in good company though and the manager soon on his way and here we are now as equals although you might say they’ve dropped considerably below us despite their celebrity manager.

So yes, I felt a certain calm and pleasure as I luxuriated in that uncharacteristic slip up by the Shakers. Fine art and a fine football club. What other blog would give you that?

Available for sale or rent. Moral High Ground. Surplus to requirements.

They must really dread the prospect of playing Lincoln City at Forest Green Rovers. What’s that, nine hours of football played? (Plus injury time) points gained nil.
Before it was, we’ll continue to play football the way we think it should be played. Well there’s only one way to play football. To win.

Presumably FGR were at Sincil Bank last Tuesday to see City rescue a point with a last gasp equaliser from John Akinde. They’ll have thought, now’s our chance. In FGR’s eyes they are the guardians of footballs soul but bearing in mind this is league two do you really want a fine Sancerre with your fish and chips when an ice cold Diet Coke will really hit the spot?

To carry on with the analogy for a little bit longer, FGR had Christian Doidge back with them after the catastrophic transfer debacle. Who did they see lined up against them? Matt Rhead, just like last time and just like last time Dennis the Menace prevailed over Lord Snooty.

We said after the dramatic improvement after he came on last time out, is it worth playing Rhead up front with John Akinde? Well Danny Cowley may relish playing the underdog but he’s not slow on the uptake and that’s exactly what happened. Akinde must have really enjoyed himself yesterday, it certainly sounded like it on the radio but here is a man burdened with the millstone of record signing (relatively modest as the sum paid is) labouring in a system he’s not been used to and, despite the best efforts of those who believe we have ourselves a fine player, still hearing those doubting voices off. Well hopefully we’re going to be hearing less of them.

Add to the mix it was normal service resumed with an Akinde penalty converted, one way or another it was a good day at the office. Everyone won, City remain top by three. Mr Cooper set for another weeks navel gazing. Yes, in the end, a good week.

It’s now a level playing field. Unlike Forest Green Rovers pitch.

So there we are, that game in hand played and just the point to show for it. Even then it took a last gasp Akinde strike to get that.

Games in hand are a mixed blessing. When you’re doing well you tend to assume it’s three points but you don’t add up the fixtures at the start of the season and times by three and say that’s what we’re going to get do you?

So FGR, what do we expect? Lets start with what we know. City are better away at the moment. I don’t know why. The support at home is good. Is’t it? Well where I sit, in the Selenity it is. Perhaps not as loud as the other side but uncritical and a certain large striker is not singled out for criticism. Is that the same over the way? From what I read maybe not. I can’t see the point in subjecting our own players to such scrutiny. Sure in this blog I’ll say so and so perhaps didn’t have a good game. That’s not abuse and usually it’s set against a background of previously great form so more an acceptance of human frailty than anything else.

We now know that Freck is struggling with injury and is to be given a rest. If you believe the old adage form is temporary, class is permanent then you have you explanation if you believe that players performances haven’t been up to the usual standard latterly.

Anyway, back to the point, what do we know about FGR, well more what do we know about the manager Mark Cooper and what I think I know is that’s he can’t change his tactics, unlike Danny Cowley. When we played them at home I thought we looked terrible, back to biff bang football but we won. FGR, I thought, looked a really classy side. But null points. Who’s right? I’d say the team with three points.

We know FGR’s pitch is not condusive to silky football and Rovers have been a little more direct. Can a leopard change his spots? We’ll see.

City have Harry Anderson back, Rovers have Christian Doidge . It’s never been anything but interesting between these sides.