For the most part i have had a good last few months sport wise. The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a great season going 12-4 and capturing our 20th division title since 1970. We now await one of the wild card round winners in the 2nd round of the playoffs.
The England cricket team have had a fantastic tour down under and now look good not only to retain the Ashes but to win the series outright thus becoming the first England side to win a series in Australia in 24 years. I have started to watch the Nottingham Panthers ice hockey club this season and for the most part have thoroughly enjoyed it. Inter, although a little off the pace in the league, have become world club champions and made the last 16 of the champions league.
Despite saying all that there is one huge white elephant in the room. My main sporting interest of the last 16 years.
Lincoln City FC.
The Imps were undefeated in December. Pretty impressive you would say. Until you realise that we didn't play a single match in that time due to the extreme weather we have had here in the East Midlands for the last few weeks. When we returned to action on Jan the 1st at home to Bradford City it took the Imps a whole two minutes to dig their own grave with some comic defending. Keeper Joe Anyon and centre back Moses Swaibu decided to leave a long through ball for each other neither got it thus giving Bradfords striker one of the easiest goals he will ever get.
Such defending hasn't been seen since the days of the "Up the Field" side or the famous Jenkins five a side teams of the late 90's (Both of which i was between the sticks for). However, people didn't pay to watch us.
We got back into it and made it 1-1 but Bradford took the lead again a few minutes before half time when we let their player just walk past 4 defenders before picking his spot to give them a 2-1 lead. We made plenty of chances in the 2nd half but just couldnt take them.
On Monday we again lost 2-1. This time away at Northampton, the winner coming two minutes from the end. All the reports said that we should have got something from the game (I was at Retford v Stockbridge park steels) But we didnt. When the dust settled it showed ourselves, Hereford, and Barnet all on 19 points with a group of teams a further 4 points ahead. So where do we go from here? On the plus side the Imps do have up to three games in hand on the sides around us which in a way is a good thing, but of course games in hand have to be won other wise the are as meaningful as a pre election CONservative/ Liberal democrat promise. The January transfer window is upon us and we need to wheel and deal if we are to stay up.
Not that getting players in will be easy, after all who wants to come to a side that is up to its neck in doo doo and in the middle of a relegation battle? On the plus side i have great faith in Steve Tilson and Paul Brush. They have been around the lower leagues and know what is required at this level which is something for me that Chris Sutton never got. Needless to say the fans are restless and worried that this is our time to be relegated. Yes we have been dire at times this season but now isn't the time to stick the knives in. The Summer is the time for that. For now we just have to grin and bear it and get our tin hats on. I still belive that there is very little between most sides in league two this season with only Bury and Accrington giving us a good kicking this season. Its FA Cup time this weekend (and maybe the following Tuesday if we win the reply on Saturday) so its all fun fun fun.
If we do go down at least we can enjoy the shepards pie at Kiddiminster Harriers, Fish and chips at Grimsby, and a boys weekend away in London for Hayes and Yeading (I always try to look on the bright side of things) Ironically we have been to most of the blue square league clubs as many are former league two sides. The lesson there is that is often takes clubs a while to come back.
No pressure then boys.
Up the Imps.
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