Sutton 'delight' at point in Rochdale
Chris Sutton was delighted to steal a "decent" point from title-chasing Rochdale as he insisted Lincoln City's resilience was key to surviving a second-half onslaught.
On an emotional day when the Imps paid their respects to former boss Keith Alexander, who died last week, City produced a display befitting of the Sincil Bank legend to secure a surprise 1-1 draw.
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Lincoln's assistant manager Ian Pearce.
Lincoln had taken the lead in the first-half with a beautifully crafted goal which ended with Chris Herd slotting in his fourth goal of the season.
But back came Dale after the break whipping up a maelstrom of pressure that was eventually rewarded when Joe Anderson diverted Chris Dagnall's strike into his own goal.
The league leaders then stepped up their bid to snatch all three points, but Lincoln defended superbly to defy the bookies' pre-match prediction of a Dale victory which pleased Sutton.
"We knew we would come under pressure at some stage and that's what happened in the second half," he said.
"But I was really pleased with the players because they worked hard, they were committed and they concentrated well which we knew we had too.
"They are top for a reason, they are very well organised and they have some very good players.
"However, we stood up to them albeit territorially we came under the cosh, so yes it was a decent point and we showed good character."
Sutton reserved praise for Ian Pearce, the club's assistant boss who was absolutely outstanding at Spotland demonstrating his class yet again in defence.
The former Blackburn player nearly had to come off with a tight hamstring in the second half, but he continued despite looking uncomfortable.
To listen to the post-match thoughts of Lincoln City skipper Scott Kerr, click on the media player below.
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by Isambard, Brunel
Monday, March 08 2010, 5:51PM
“Once we score we tend to sit back and give the opposition too much time and space.
Whilst we have a lot of men behind the ball often the opposition have time and space to create chances.
There's a choice between denying space in and around the final third and pressing higher up the pitch which might allow more space behind. The problem with the former is that you tend not to be able to retain possession and so you continue to be under pressure and eventually a mistake can be made.
Hopefully, later this season and next when we are under less pressure, we can continue to press for longer periods after we have gone ahead.
The tactic was understandable at Rochdale but at Grimsby it possibly allowed them back in to the game.
Up the Imps”
by Tony, Barnsley
Monday, March 08 2010, 12:08PM
“It was an excellent point on Saturday. But, I do see a point in "DisappointedImp" post. We do tend to drop deeper and deeper, every game after we take the lead. I don't think this can be totally down to the other side putting pressure on. That said, it has happened for a good few seasons now.
Well done lads, keep it up and we will comfortably OK.”
by Frankfurt Exile, Frankfurt, Germany
Monday, March 08 2010, 10:25AM
“Before anyone else points out, I'm not sure if it's 'whinging' or 'whingeing', that comes from being out of the UK for so long...”
by Frankfurt Exile, Frankfurt, Germany
Monday, March 08 2010, 10:24AM
“Well done to the Imps on Saturday, shows what CS & his team have achieved. Still a way to go, but the signs are good.
Agree with 'Interesting''s point that it's so quiet on here when we don't lose. sad fact of life in Lincoln, here's the moaners' anthem (not that they're used to singing at all):
"Sing when we're whinging - we only sing when we're whinging... sing when we're whinging...!!"”
by Dave, N Hykeham
Monday, March 08 2010, 10:01AM
“Excellent point against the best team in the division but one good performance doesn't mean that I'm any closer to being a fan of CS. Some of the old guard, Kerr in particular, would have been playing with Keith in mind (KA would of been proud of Macc on Sat. Lets hope we can do a similar job on Friday) but we need consistentcy. If we get that I'll become a convert. However, credit where its due Good result and good match from IP.”