Ahead of tomorrow night’s game against Coventry City, we take a look at the current form of both sides, Scotimp’s views from the Season Preview and past meetings between the two sides.
Coventry City: Last Six Results (League Two):
Coventry City 4-0 Grimsby Town
Newport County 1-1 Coventry City
Coventry City 2-6 Yeovil Town
Notts County 2-1 Coventry City
Crawley Town 1-2 Coventry City
Coventry City 3-1 Stevenage
Remaining Fixtures (League Two):
Cheltenham Town (a)
Morecambe (h)
Home Attendance Stats (League Two):
Lowest: 6,151 (v Carlisle United)
Highest: 28,343 (v Accrington Stanley)
Total: 183,874 (21 games)
Average: 8,756
Top Scorers (League Two)
1: Marc McNulty (20)
2: Jodi Jones (5)
3: Maxime Biamou (4)
4: Tom Bayliss (3)
5: Michael Doyle (3)
Scotimp’s Views From the Season Preview Part One | Part Two
Coventry City endured contrasting fortunes last season, winning the much-maligned Checkatrade Trophy but suffering relegation to the bottom tier for the first time since 1959 after collecting just 9 league wins. The daily existence of the club continues to be blighted by supporter unrest over its ownership, unsuccessful takeover bids, court battles and doubts over the club’s future at the Ricoh Arena. Plans to build their own ground are still in their initial stages, whilst the presence of Wasps RUFC offers serious competition for support: in 2016-17, the average attendance at Wasps home games was more than double that of the Sky Blues. Other than the unexpected loss of the promising Cian Harries to Swansea, few tears will have been shed over the players departing during the summer. Manager Mark Robins has signed a very experienced midfield trio in Peter Vincenti, Michael Doyle and the ball-boy bashing Liam Kelly, but goals are likely to be a rare beast after a meagre 37 last season. It is 16 years since Coventry were relegated from the Premier League, and a place back in football’s basement was the last thing supporters expected to witness. Now they have finally reached the bottom, they will be hoping to commence their journey back towards the elite immediately, but manager Mark Robins has never won promotion. Only time will tell whether he ends that unenviable record this season, as Coventry would appear to be the classic unknown quantity.
Prediction: Play-offs.
Lincoln City: Last Six Results (League Two):
Morecambe 0-0 Lincoln City
Lincoln City 3-2 Exeter City
Carlisle United 0-1 Lincoln City
Port Vale 1-0 Lincoln City
Lincoln City 0-0 Wycombe Wanderers
Lincoln City 2-1 Colchester United
Remaining Fixtures (League Two):
Accrington Stanley (a)
Yeovil Town (h)
Home Attendance Stats (League Two):
Lowest: 7,320 (v Barnet)
Highest: 9,785 (v Exeter City)
Total: 191,977 (22 games)
Average: 8,726
Top Scorers (League Two)
1: Matt Green (13)
2: Matt Rhead (7)
3: Harry Anderson (6)
4: Michael Bostwick (6)
5: Ollie Palmer (6)
Scotimp’s Views From the Season Preview Part One | Part Two
Lincoln City’s promotion to the Football League last season was as unexpected as it was breathtaking. Their run to the FA Cup quarter-final astonished and enthralled football supporters all over the world, and that is one reason why they are expected to do well this season. Wins over Oldham, Ipswich, Brighton and Burnley suggest that City will have little trouble with the likes of Crawley and Newport, and they have a far stronger squad this season. The methodical and analytical approach of Danny Cowley and his management team should deliver results regardless of which tier they are in; and whilst promotion to League One at the first attempt seems a tall order, they have plenty of momentum. Cowley has made some interesting signings during the close season, with Peterborough’s Player of the Season Michael Bostwick the headline-maker. Off the field, their policy of attracting sustainable investment has been enhanced through the advent of a couple of new directors. With a bespoke training ground scheduled to open in December and a new 15,000-seat stadium very much on the horizon, developments in infrastructure are set to keep pace with progress onfield. The people of Lincoln are certainly convinced: they have snapped up almost 6,000 season tickets over the summer, a response not seen since their Second Division days in the mid-1950s. City are almost guaranteed an average crowd of between 7,000 and 8,000, even if consolidation is the outcome next May. But the Cowleys have the opportunity they have worked for ten years to secure – to test their skills in the Football League – and they are unlikely to settle for anything less than a promotion challenge.
Prediction: Automatic promotion.
Last 7 Meetings:
15/12/26: Lincoln City 2-1 Coventry City (FA Cup)
25/9/48: Lincoln City 1-0 Coventry City (Division Two)
19/2/49: Coventry City 1-0 Lincoln City (Division Two)
14/10/61: Lincoln City 1-2 Coventry City (Division Three)
2/3/62: Coventry City 2-2 Lincoln City (Division Three)
7/3/63: Lincoln City 1-5 Coventry City (FA Cup)
18/11/17: Lincoln City 1-2 Coventry City (League Two)
– @Coventry_City (a): Form, Past Results & More:https://t.co/28vZhn2Zfm#SkyBlues #Coventry #ImpsAsOne
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) April 23, 2018
https://www.facebook.com/VitalLincolnCity/posts/1667720923264146
