Lincoln City should worry about relegation and not the FA Cup, says Chris Sutton
Chris Sutton has vowed not to let cup fever override the seriousness of Lincoln City's perilous league position as he warned: "Don't forget – we are in a relegation scrap".
The Imps entertain Port Vale at Sincil Bank tonight (7.45pm) in what could be a pivotal evening in the race to avoid the trapdoor to the Blue Square Premier and non-league obscurity.
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Lincoln City manager Chris Sutton.
City are just four points off the drop zone but can take a giant stride towards comfortable territory, especially as Grimsby, who sit second bottom, are without a fixture.
But with an FA Cup third-round tie against Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium still dominating conversations in the city, Sutton moved quickly to add a sobering dose of reality, given their League Two position.
And he bludgeoned home just how important a victory is against Micky Adams' fast-improving outfit.
"We are well aware of our position in the table and we are in a relegation scrap, there is no doubt about that," he said.
"And having spoken to Ian Pearce, my assistant, and the coach, Scott Lindsey, after the win against Northwich we accept what a massive game tonight is.
"We've drawn three games at home and won one since I came in and it's time we improve that statistic, but Port Vale are not going to turn up here and just roll over.
"We have to work hard and we have to do more in the final third because, make no mistake, we are looking over our shoulders."
To read more of this story and for a full preview of Lincoln City v Port Vale, buy today's Lincolnshire Echo.
7 Comments
by moorlandimp, lincoln
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 10:29PM
“Sutton you said it yourself some weeks ago, football its not a science, yet we cannot perform for 90 minutes in League Two, or score -why?You certainly are not getting the best from the lads, plus there is no continuity or tactics.”
by moorlandimp, lincoln
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 10:08PM
“Forget FA Cups. I have just witnessed another of the collection of dire performances at home yet again. Vale were mediocre g two chances two goals!Us again nothing but anguish.”
by Paul Stone, West Midlandscestershire
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 7:38PM
“Hopefully, the goals and the win at Northwich will give the lads a bit of a confidence boost against the Valiants tonight. I think the Bolton game has given us all something to look forward to in what has so far been a rubbish season. A win in the league would keep us in a cheery mood. Up the Imps.”
by Shandy, Lincoln
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 5:00PM
“I'm going to my first game tonight (against Port Vale) for over 18 months so i hope to see determination and spirit from this new look Lincoln team as was witnessed in the 2nd half against Northwich. I just hope the team realise that good strong home form is the foundation for any successful team and i hope i am impressed enough to not have to wait another 18 months before i venture into the uncertain and frustrating world of sincil bank again.”
by NorthWestImp, Warrington
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 1:16PM
“I agree we mustn't get distracted by the Cup fun - at this point in time. I trust we'll all feel differently on 2 Jan though! Mr Sutton seems to have his feet on the ground and knows we have to take one game at a time. It will be another tough task tonight, against an improving Port Vale side, but we do need to get back to winning ways in the league sooner rather than later. Up the Imps!”
by Cameron Love, Lincoln
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 12:59PM
“Very impressed with his level-headed approach to his role. He seems to know what is important and what is just a fleeting amount of fun! The FA Cup is a good competition but LCFC have little chance of progressing in it and the money earnt is also very small to what we could lose out on if we end up relegated next year.
I think we were very sloppy against NV at the weekend to begin with but as the game progressed, especially the second half, we started to show a lot of good quality football, lots of short direct passing that worked and the long balls went from "boot it and hope for the best" to "aim for the target man" which clearly worked once the sloppy football disappeared.
That improvement as the team settled and gelled together (bearing in mind the amount of new faces needing time to settle and gel) it showed that with a bit of training work and some calmness with the passing we could do very well indeed tonight.
If we can play like we did in the second half of NV match we could be looking at a nice comfortable win.”
by Imp_88, Hykeham
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 9:02AM
“Good stuff CS Saying the right stuff to keep everyone focused...I hope he adopts a similar formation to the Northwich game now we have Facey it could really work with him spearheading the attack bring in jamie clark and another forward operating on both wings but getting back as well which was what impressed me on sat for the first time since keith the forwards got back like in the days of yeo and green when they helped out the defense”