By theimps.tk
February 27 2009

Lincoln City will aim for revenge over Rotherham United following the Miller's opening day victory over City. In what should be a competitive game, the Imps are also hoping for their first point(s) against a side who have beaten Lincoln on all three occasions since returning to the division.

It seems a long time since the beginning of the season at Rotherham United. Back then the Millers were one of the favourites for the drop due to their points deduction, City were fancying themselves not only to win promotion, but to also win the division thanks to Peter Jackson's pre-season comments. Since then United have arose into midtable and the Imps have sat midtable for the majority, briefly going into the top 10.

City have struggled against their opponents since the Millers returned to League Two last season. So far it's 3-0 in terms of victories for Saturday's visitors. Last season's meeting between the two sides at Sincil Bank came after City had just won away from home without conceding, an idential situation to the one we head into on Saturday.

The Imps now sit ten points outside of the Playoffs, although City do have two games in hand over seventh placed Exeter. The is partially because of all those postponements several weeks ago, meaning that even Morecambe have sneaked above us in the table. If we can win those two games in hand, with one of them being extremely winable, then the Imps could be set for a sixth Playoff campaign in seven, but we'll still have to improve a lot to make those Playoffs.

There have been two pieces of good news regarding the fitness of players in recent days, the first being that Hone is close to a comeback and the second is that John-Lewis is injured and won't be taking part for some time. Horsfield could play depending on a fitness test before kick off.

So based on all that information, we can be pretty certain that Burch will start in goal with Lee Beevers, Janos Kovacs, Aaron Brown and Paul Green at the back. The midfield and attack depend on whether Jackson plays his usual 4-5-1 or 4-3-3 formation, the decision likely to be affected due to the absense of John-Lewis, although any replacement will be an improvement.

N'Guessan, Kerr and Oakes are almost certain to start the game in the midfield and out of all those who took the bench last week, the likely replacement for John-Lewis will be Shane Clarke, easily the most improved player from last season. If that is the case then it Wright and Elding could be on their own up front with Jackson possibly playing an uncharacteristic 4-4-2.

Rotherham have had a decent season so far, amasing 47 points to bring them onto +30 following that 17 points deduction. They have an array of talent in their squad...and Drewe Broughton. The journeyman striker almost joined the Imps in 2006 but turned down a loan move due to having recovered from injury and not feeling he would do a good job....talk about a great escape. He has played for 16 different clubs during his career...and he's still only 30.

City could move 10th with a win.

City aiming to avenge opening day defeat

Discussion started by theimps.tk (IP Logged), 27/02/2009 17:08

theimps.tk
27/02/2009 17:08

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davidimp
27/02/2009 19:51

A absolute win for me if we dont thats it folks start saving for next season.
Can't believe Broughton has had 16 CLUBS! Also that he's only 30 thought he was around the same age as the Horse

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Aryan_imp
28/02/2009 07:24

The ultimate bogey side are Rovrum ..... don't think we've won at their place in my lifetime? I recall Lee Philpott scoring one for us in a 2-1 opening day win at SB a decade ago, but that's about it!

That Imps fan who ran on the Millmoor pitch and stuck a wooden Imp in the centre circle before our Championship clincher in the 1948 has cursed us ever since!

Can't be there today, but 3 points please lads?

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davidimp
28/02/2009 07:54

December 7th 1957 Aryan was the last away win did the double that season!
Last home win before 1999 was 1979!
Went there in 1997 when Sir Gareth played his last game for us before he went to Port Vale.
In 87 games we've won 24!
In 42 games we've won 16!
Overdue a home win I think against this lot

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