By Nathan Jackson
October 12 2006

Lincoln City are set for the tricky trip to Barnet on Saturday and could find themselves top thanks to other games. 3 of the last 4 meetings between the two clubs, have seen the side that score the first goal, eventually go on to lose the game but City can't afford that to happen to them again.

If you play away from home and score 3 goals, then you're expect a point at the very least wouldn't you whereas if you're a home team and you're 2-0 up, you'd also expect to get at least a point. Those have been the scenarios in the Imps' last two visits to Barnet, 3-0 up 6 years ago and lost 4-3 and last season, 2-0 down but won 3-2, you certainly can't say that games as Underhill are boring but City will be hoping to avoid any drama to go top of the table.

Although a lot depends on what happens in the Walsall vs Wycombe game, City will guaranteed move to at least 2nd spot with a win and if Wycombe become the first side to not only score, but to also win at Walsall this season, then all City have to do is win by a bigger margin to go top. Easy on paper but we all know what City are like in the situations.

Last week's win against Hartlepool has hopefully calmed the ship after 2 shocking defeats to teams that were occupying 23rd at the time. Even if City don't go top, a win would definately be very helpful just 2 weeks before we head into our most difficult game of the season, away at Swindon. 

Morgan is still likely to be out injured meaning that City should stay with the 4-4-2 formation that beat Hartlepool last week. It should in theory be the same team that played against Hartlepool.

Who I think will start (Right to left)

Marriott

Eaden   Beevers     Moses     Hughes

Amoo    Kerr  Frecklington   Mayo

Stallard    Forrester

	Torquay United			L 0-1
	Swindon Town			L 1-2
	Accrington Stanley			L 1-2
	Hereford United			W 3-0
	Cardiff City		League Cup	W 2-0
	Wrexham			D 1-1
	Walsall			D 1-1
	Macclesfield Town			W 3-2
	Boston United			D 3-3
	Notts. County			L 2-3
	Leeds United		League Cup	L 1-3
	Bury			D 2-2
	Peterborough United			D 1-1
	Milton Keynes Dons			D 3-3
	Stockport County			L 0-2

As you can see, Barnet were many people's relegation favourites for a reason and when you look at the teams that they've beat, you realise that they are in deep trouble considering if you take out Macclesfield (the bottom club), they've won just once all season long and that win against Macclesfield, currently keeps Barnet out of the relegation zone.

Yo can also see that they're fully capable of scoring goals and just twice have they failed to score, however, they've also kept one clean sheet in the league and with an aging midfield which includes 37 year old Paul Warhurst and suspended 41 year old, Andy Hessenthaler means that speed definately lacks in the midfield and that exposes the defence.

Barnet took the lead twice against the Imps last season and failed to pick up a point but they can't afford that to happen again otherwise they could easily enter the relegation zone on Saturday.