Is it too late to get the Football League to change the rules? It’s just we’re thinking of asking that home games count double and away games count for nothing come the final reckoning. It might be enough to get us a spot in the playoffs, right? Or will our fluttering eyelashes fail to convince the bigwigs and end up wasting our time – something we do every time we head out on the road this season anyway.
And now we get to do it all again, this time at Lincoln. What ever it actually is.
Lincoln City v Stevenage: The Lowdown
Lincoln. The scene of our first-ever away win in the Football League. Sign Holroyd forever, right? They’ve got a cathedral ‘n’ all. It’s something to look at if the football doesn’t work out. And work out it might not. The Imps are aiming to be in business against us, what with this rubbish look we’re sticking with on the road. More red cards than shots on target last weekend. It doesn’t exactly do much for the league position we’re told.
The Opposition
P6 W2 D0 L4 F5 A11; last result: Stevenage 0-1 Lincoln City, 08/12/2018
The promotion-chasing Imps come into this match looking to make it a league double over us this season. Let’s be honest: there’s a very good chance it’ll happen. And, if it does, it’ll be our fourth straight defeat against ’em too. If we can manage to get ourselves down their end of the pitch and pop a shot into their goal, we’ll at least avoid going three on the spin without scoring. Even that sounds like a tough ask, but – hey – you never know!
The Referee
P4 W1 D1 L2 F6 A8; last result: York City 2-1 Stevenage, 30/01/2016
Taking charge of his 30th match of the season, this is quite a rare step down for Jeremy Simpson. He’s used to reffing in the Championship these days, dontcha know? Not that a ref’s upward rise is always a guarantee of ability. But why are we bringing Andre Marriner into this, eh? Last time we hung out with Mr Simpson is more than three years ago now; a pretty grim away showing at a York side destined for non-league purgatory.
The Form
Right, let’s get this done. Let’s see how much the odds are stacked against us this weekend. Not that you have much cause to look at the very top of the tree, but that’s where Lincoln sit. The Imps are three points clear of the chasing rabble with a game in hand. Having the best form on the road has done a lot of good for ’em, but they’re handy indoors too. In 15 outings at Sincil Bank, they’ve only lost once and that was the opening day.
The Imps’ march to the title has chilled a little in recent weeks. Their last three have ended all square, but they ain’t lost a game in 2019. Yet. Not that we’re primed to do much about it. They’ve scored in each of their last 15 matches and in all but one on home turf. Again, on the opening day. For a little pick-me-up, they’ve kept just two clean sheets at home. It’s something, but we can’t see that chink of light being anywhere near enough.
• MORE ABOUT ‘EM: Lincoln City club profile
