By Slevin Morgan
November 30 2009

We're approaching the turn of the year and City still in a cup competition (for a change), it is important that we still concentrate on the League. That starts with a visit from improving Port Vale. Vale have an excellent record against the Imps in recent years, and it will be a very tricky game for the Imps to negotiate. After a weekend that saw everyone pre-occupied with the cup, most probably forgot that we have a vitally important league game against Port Vale at Sincil Bank on Tuesday night. The Imps will have their work cut out for them as Port Vale have won on their last two visits to Sincil Bank, including last season's meeting that although City dominated, they simply couldn't score.

Despite the cup run, the main priority is, and always will be, the league. We haven't won in nearly two months in the league and performances haven't exactly been great, and given that Grimsby couldn't put pressure on City on Saturday, it is a great opportunity for the Imps to move further away from the relegation zone. Grimsby could only draw 0-0 at Macclesfield, moving them to four points of the Imps, but a win for City could increase that gap to seven points, a massive gap considering Grimsby struggle to get goals.

The one issue that Chris Sutton has now is a slight selection issue. Does he stick with the team that comfortably won against Northwich, or does he bring back in his loan signings who haven't actually played in a Lincoln victory yet? Personally, I'd stick with Watts and Kovacs, they've done their job well when they've played together, so with Hughton are right back, the only position up for debate is the left back position.

Joe Heath had a cameo game against Northwich, but given that he hasn't played a League game since the win over Macclesfield on October 10^th, and that Sutton seems to prefer Lichaj, it is likely the on loan Villa left back will reclaim his spot.

The midfield is also an interesting issue these days. With Oakes, Pulis and Torres all out, you could expect Herd to make his debut alongside the rejuvenated Kerr. With Michael Gordon returning following ineligibility, Shane Clarke could suddenly find himself out of the team, that despite improving with most passing games. Unfortunately, the lacklustre Khano Smith will probably start in left midfield.

Up front should be a relatively easy choice. Jamie Clarke is the man in form, hitting four goals in his last five games, and Chris Fagan's confidence will be up after a brilliant volleyed goal on Saturday. With Rene Howe's loan expiring soon, Sutton will probably be more keen to see how the strikers who are here permanently get on. Due to both Fagan and Clarke scoring on Saturday, Delroy Facey will probably be forced to start on the bench.

A Port Vale side containing former Imps, Louis Dodds and Geoff Horsfield, have been in fine form recently and Mickey Adams' threat of putting every single one of them on the transfer list appeared to work after a horrible start to the season. The only highlights earlier on were wins over both Sheffield sides in the Carling Cup, 2-1 at United and 2-0 over Sheffield Wednesday at home. A 1-0 win over hapless Darlington was their only Leaguewin in August and they had only addeded one more win added to that in October. It was at this point that Adams put the whole squad on the transfer list.

They responded excellent and beat Stockport in the JPT, before away wins at Shrewsbury and Crewe. Infact, only high flying Rotherham have had the better of them since the beginning of October in the League. However, they have drawn more games than won in that period and had it not been for that, they would more than likely be challenging for a Playoff place right now.

They were eliminated from the FA Cup on Saturday after Huddersfield's Nathan Clarke hit an overhead kick to send the Terriers through to the next round.

Cup distraction put aside to concentrate on League

Discussion started by theimps.tk (IP Logged), 30/11/2009 09:56

theimps.tk
30/11/2009 09:56

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