Lincoln City slide closer to League Two relegation zone as Imps miss chances

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Wednesday, December 02, 2009
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This is Lincolnshire

Chris Sutton was left to rue a lack of killer instinct after Port Vale completed a smash-and-grab raid to deepen Lincoln City's relegation fears.

Micky Adams' side pinched a 2-1 victory at Sincil Bank, a result which pushed the Imps to third-bottom in the table.

Vale took the lead just before the break through Marc Richards' classy finish at the end of a half which saw Lincoln miss a stack of chances.

Goalkeeper Chris Martin's howler in the second half restored parity, but Louis Dodds' cool finish in the 59th minute sealed their win.

Sutton said he was bitterly disappointed with the result but pointed to a lack of ruthlessness as a key factor.

"That's the first time I've been able to stand here after a game and say we've missed enough chances to win two games," he said.

"We are bitterly disappointed because we were sloppy defensively and both of their goals were certainly avoidable.

"We were slightly ragged in the last 10 minutes when we went three up front which was a bit of naivety on our part.

"It was just one of those nights because if we have those chances in another game then maybe we will win more than we lose."

To read more of this story and for a full match report, analysis and pictures of last night's game, buy today's Lincolnshire Echo.

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  • Profile image for This is Lincolnshire

    by Gedge, Lincoln

    Friday, December 04 2009, 9:15AM

    “Unknown supporter. I'm all for giving our youth team players a chance, but only if they are ready for the 1st team and good enough.
    Being up for it and giving 100% isn't enough. Pushing them in too early and into a struggling team could set them back.
    Jackson was relying on the youth players to make up the numbers and it was obvious the squad was too thin and not up to the job.
    Most of the loanees have been good and will help the team improve, to get us through this season.”

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    by unknown supporter, lincoln

    Friday, December 04 2009, 7:38AM

    “i did not think that my grammar or lack of it was an issue. but i do think the younger players would give there heart and soul for lincoln city, and if this means running to nz then i am sure they would do it. i believe that younger players would give 200 percent for the chance to have a go.”

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    by Kiwipuskas, Timaru, NZ

    Thursday, December 03 2009, 8:00PM

    “Well, Unknown Supporter, if Clucas has got the lungs to read one of your interminable sentences aloud without stopping, I quite agree he should be in the first team. He'd never stop running.”

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    by unknown supporter, lincoln

    Thursday, December 03 2009, 10:59AM

    “think that maybe cs should have a bit more man management and give his fringe players ago maybe a player like hutch or clucas although the latter is classed a midfielder but has scored quite a few goal whilst at college and at leicester should be given the chance they are lincolnshire through and through and from when we have watch the res this team seems more up for the fight than the so called first team maybe cs should go to watch a res game and see how thay play. i also think that just because you have been on the fringes of a club such as aston villa or so on only means that you have had good training not that you can play any better than the next man player like some of the youth which are hopefully going to be yhe lincoln city of the future deserve the chance to prove they can do it and a mix of experience and youth should work just as well as it is doing now hopefully better some of our local players have done just as good things as most of the loan player i read in the echo a few years ago that clucas was picked for a gb squad in hungary and as a boy he scored a record amount of goals for his clubs GIVE THE YOUTHS A CHANCE EVEN IF THEY ARE FROM LINCOLN THE PRESS WOULD BE ALL OVER A STORY ABOUT OUR CLUB THEN AND IT WOULD HOPEFULLY BE GOOD TIMES AGAIN SOME FOOTBALLERS DO ENJOY BEING A LINCOLN CITY PLAYER NOT A CHRIS SUTTON WANNABE”

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    by Gedge, Lincoln

    Thursday, December 03 2009, 9:46AM

    “Mick Smith, "consider this for a scenario,end of season city in relegation,rob burch leaves for nothing due to board reluctance to offer decent contract, kovacs ,hone,houghton,swaibu,clarke ,kerr and clark j are out of contract and leave,just suppose this does happen,who would be to blame.answer this and you get the answer to exactly what is wrong with lincoln and has been since he reneged on alexanders january sacking. this showed him to be gutless and i believe the rot set in then"
    I know I shouldn't rise to this, but this is the daftest post of the lot. Complete load of conjecture as to what might happen in 6 months time and you think this is a conclusive case for getting rid of Steff Wright?
    So what if the performances continue to improve, we sign a couple of decent players and end the season strongly. Who gets the credit then?
    Just as likely as your guess.
    Is there a general feeling that Wright is killing the club or just a handful of fans having a moan?
    Want Rob Bradley back? then all he has to do is stand for election as Trust representative, nothing stopping him.
    Everyone is frustrated at hw the season has panned out so far, but we've already had one scapegoat in Jacko this year. There are no quick fixes. Have patience and give Sutton time.”

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    by Tony, Vietnam

    Thursday, December 03 2009, 6:30AM

    “Living in Vietnam I have only been able to watch Lincoln in their match against Northwich. I thought the defence was a little of pace and sometimes got drawn out of position. I was more optomistic about the midfield, who showed some promise once the first goal went in and they had some confidence. I wouldn't like to pass comment on the forwards as it appears that their performance in this match was better than usual. Is this a fair assesment?”

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    by Red_Imp_83, Lincoln

    Wednesday, December 02 2009, 10:49PM

    “Jonathan, agree regarding Fagan - sometimes you can see why Man Utd had him with his two decent feet and finishing. Port Vale had him worked out though and other teams watching him who have to play us soon will know to deny him space and give him a (legitimate) nudge or two to brush him off the ball. That said if anyone can help him with the physical side of things it should be Sutton with his abilities at backing in and playing against tough central defenders.”

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    by Red_Imp_83, Lincoln

    Wednesday, December 02 2009, 10:39PM

    “Isambard in answer to your points: -
    1)For me I'd normally go for Baker over Kovacs. As you rightly say Baker doesn't have the pace for a higher level, but he's still more mobile than the sometimes cumbersome Kovacs. Also Baker's distribution is more accurate in my view. That said, on this occasion I would've kept the two centre backs from saturday as I thought they were sound and I personally would've limited changes to a winning side. I do wonder if we've got the Villa lads on loan on the basis that we play them if they're fit perhaps? Maybe it's in the terms of the loan agreement?
    2) The right back position will be one of our strongest areas when Green's fit. Too close to call for me and Jackson has to take some credit for getting Hughton who has been a rare bright spot for us this season.
    3)As I say I'll back Sutton until a few weeks after the window when he's had chance to bring his own permanent signings in that aren't free agents. I do think making too many changes from Saturday cost us last night. I do think the suggestion that he's throwing a lot of ideas around hoping something'll fit is fairly accurate, but perhaps to be expected with a new, inexperienced manager. I just hope he finds a formula that works soon. Top of the table Rochdale at the Bank after Crewe on Saturday, yikes!”

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    by Al, Manchester

    Wednesday, December 02 2009, 10:11PM

    “Well I for one wasn't praising Sutton when we beat 2 non league sides to get to the 3rd round. I have stuck to my guns and think he is a clueless, uninspiring, unenthusiastic excuse of a manager. Look at these statements he comes out with 'we are in a relegation battle, lets realise that' - No Chris, you have taken us there with your random signings, failure to recognise the difference between good & bad players and lack of any tactical nouse so how about YOU realise that and start to fear for your job. But then again I doubt very much he cares about what happens to our beloved club given he has millions in the bank from his playing career. If we keep losing then I'm afraid the board cannot afford to wait until Jan to let him toss away our transfer budget and doom us to relegation. Give him 3 more games maximum because this is absolutely shocking”

  • Profile image for This is Lincolnshire

    by Paul Brewer, Lincoln

    Wednesday, December 02 2009, 10:10PM

    “Red Imp 83. you obviously missed the fact that Clarke was trying to run off an injury for 5 minutes before being replaced, He was angry at not been able to carry on - he was committed to playing if possible,
    PB”

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