By Nathan Jackson
December 25 2009

June and August were bad months for the Imps. Only one win was recorded during pre-season and four defeats in the League and cup mounted pressure on Peter Jackson. He had bought in several players, but none were particularly performing enough to give Peter Jackson that bit of momentum he needed.  

The month of July started with the first friendly, but it wasn't a good trip to Germany for the Imps as TuS Celle beat City 1-0. Jackson could seemingly see that despite creating numerous chances, scoring might be a problem and asked Paul Connor to join the Imps on trial after several successful spells in the division with Rochdale, Leyton Orient and Swansea. He featured in a goalless draw against Ferencvaros at Sincil Bank.

A friendly against the Tanzanian Soccer Academy was cancelled, but this was followed by a friendly at Boston United. Hughton and Connor had already been on trial at the club, but they were soon joined by Ryan Wilkie, a right winger who had previously played for Celtic and Liverpool. He would fail in his attempt to win a contract at the club though. Chris Fagan scored early in the friendly, but it was all in vein as Boston equalised soon afterwards.

The club's annual Community Day was seen as a success with the new away shirt being released. However, it certainly wasn't a similar result to the 6-0 thrashing of Lincoln United a year later as Sleaford Town destroyed a youthful Imps side 4-1. Nathan Adams did miss a penalty at 1-1 just seconds after Hutchinson had equalised.

A 3-2 defeat to Arsenal at home didn't tell the full story as the Imps had battled from 2-0 down to equalise before a late winner for the Premiership side. However, Peter Jackson had quite clearly been impressed with Paul Connor and offered him a one year contract, for which he signed. Hughton also agreed a new contract several days later. The poor pre-season continued with a 1-1 draw at Lincoln United.

City's winless pre-season continued a few days later with a 2-0 home defeat to Sheffield United, however, that overdue win finally came a few days later as City ran riot with a 4-0 win at Goole, all the goals coming before half time, in which the youth team came on in the second half and failed to create any chances at all. Sam Clucas also joined the Imps during the following days.

With only one pre-season victory, Peter Jackson loaned in Rene Howe from Peterborough United. He had an excellent record with Morecambe and Rochdale on loan, including scoring against the Imps on occasion. It was hoped he would be our main source of goals.

The first day of the season finally arrived and an Imps side containing several new signings struggled against a well organised Barnet team, and only a Janos Kovacs goal just after half time secured for the points for City, it was the first time that the Imps had won at home on a Saturday during 2009. However, it was a Janos mistake that caused City's exit from the Carling Cup as despite dominating Barnsley, the visitors capitalised on a Kovacs mistake to go through to the next round.

The results still didn't improve much for City a few days later as the current incarnation of Accrington Stanley recorded their first ever victory over the Imps at the Fraser Eagle Stadium, leaving many starting to question Peter Jackson's time at Sincil Bank. Two days later and City were drawn against Darlington in the JP Trophy.

Despite a mixed start to the season, Lincoln record a fine victory on a Tuesday evening as despite a major accident on the A1, numerous City fans made it up to Valley Parade to see both Rene Howe and Chris Fagan score their first goals for the Imps as City went seventh with a 2-0 win at Bradford. That's the highest City had ever been under Jackson. Four days later and Burton Albion record a 2-0 win at Sincil Bank.

It was starting to become evident City were heading right for a midtable, at best, finish again and a 3-0 defeat at Dagenham and Redbridge saw the first "Jackson Out" chants from the fans.....and they would soon get their wish.

2009 : Another year, more disappointment : June and August

Discussion started by theimps.tk (IP Logged), 25/12/2009 01:35

theimps.tk
25/12/2009 01:35

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