Lincoln City manager Chris Sutton is looking to bring in players on loan
Lincoln City manager Chris Sutton will explore the loan market again this season, but has backed his current squad to deliver in League Two.
Sutton has signed eight players this summer and while the Imps look destined to be more potent in attack, their defensive frailties were evident in Saturday's 4-1 friendly defeat to Scottish Premier League giants Celtic.
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Chris Sutton.
The 37-year-old is sweating over the match-fitness of central defender Adam Watts, who is recovering from a broken leg, while fellow defender Danny Hone has joined Darlington on loan, leaving only Moses Swaibu and right-back Paul Green to play at the heart of the defence.
Last season, Sutton was able to shore up a leaky defence with the loan signing of Aston Villa's Nathan Baker, who has been on England Under-19 duty, and his Villa Park team-mate, Eric Lichaj.
Speaking ahead of tonight's friendly with his former club, Norwich City, at Sincil Bank (7.30pm), Sutton confessed that he would love to go down the same route again this year but revealed the restrictions placed on his search.
"There has to be realism at the club," said Sutton, who is also set to look at a fourth trialist from the Island of Reunion, who plays at centre-back.
"I can dream about getting certain players in, but I have said before, this is Lincoln City.
"We did well to stay in the division under trying circumstances last season. Geographically the city is not an easy place to attract people to, and wages also come into the equation.
"We are looking to improve and if we can get better players on loan than we have, then we will certainly get them in.
"But we have got players contracted to Lincoln at the moment who I think could do a good job and in terms of issues being resolved (on the pitch), a good deal has been, but we are at this level for a reason and we need to work hard and aspire to do better."
IN YOUR ECHO: The full interview with Chris Sutton.
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by Geoff, The Geography Teacher
Wednesday, July 28 2010, 7:29PM
“Thing is a player in Leeds has probably 20 closer league teams to him before Lincoln appears.
Exeter is a backwater, but an ex Plymouth player has 2 league choices to pick from if he doesn't want to relocate.”
by Steve, Lincolnshire
Wednesday, July 28 2010, 7:26PM
“Moulton: things in your head are not facts. Your on a complete downer whilst a ball isn't even getting kicked, and the squad not finished - which are facts.
Jonathan: I usually agree with all you post. You don't go negative for the sake of it, and see things from the point of view of the person - in this case Sutton. However Exeter is more a backwater than Lincoln - your so wrong there surely?
The whole Dagenham arguement:
They can cherry pick any London based player as can Barnet.
We got Mazza & Gain to come to Lincoln the other year. Then had to wait for Watts & Anderson - so Sutton has attracted players better than some.
On Sutton:
We all need to get used to his dead pan interviews. He will just say it how it is. And geography will always go against us, importantly, coupled with finishing 89th in the football league! If we are top then players will turn a blind eye to geography.”
by Dale Radley, lincoln
Wednesday, July 28 2010, 6:29PM
“lincoln to leeds via A1 is 72 miles as i travel it often but that is to jimmys hossie,leave sutton alone unless we are garbage,then have a crack,,jeez !!!!”
by GrannyImp, Grantham
Wednesday, July 28 2010, 6:28PM
“I was at the Grantham game last night (for the whole match!) and noted a few things:
1) the game itself was pretty poor!
2) Delroy Facey is not a gifted goal scorer but certainly ruffled the Grantham defence!
3) both Hutchinson and Adams looked head and shoulders above the other youngsters and ran the game on the left and right!
4) Pierce did ok for an hour - basic defending completed with ease.
5) Clapham was shorter than I expected.
6) McCallum looked a right handful all evening.
7) Shane Clarke is still there!
8) both goals were not spectacular and Facey missed a sitter!
9) but for the Grantham goalie Hutch could have had 3.
10) Sutton was there in stands and then pitch side - but I am not sure what he would have thought!
Overall - a decent run out for the kids and a few of the slightly less fit potential first teamers.”
by Moulto Imp, Moulton
Wednesday, July 28 2010, 5:47PM
“Chris, at least I can analyse the current situation based on facts and then express an opinion.”