Lincoln V Crewe, Sincil Bank 27/2/10 KO 3 p.m.
The word is the Imps are to come out all guns blazing as they face a Crewe side with a fit again lethal front two and a defence that spreads like Flora. Mind you given we were utterly butterly against Port Vale we need to move onwards and upwards to maintain a 9 point gap over Grimsby Town. Fear not that was one of those games and as those who went to Barnet will tell you the Imps don`t like the snow (that was 2-5 if anyone cares to recall when Ben Wright got two late consolations). But that is history my fellow Imps and we do not look back in anger rather forward to the first of 8 Cup Finals to be played at Sincil Bank. So hoist up the Lincoln flag and let us hear the red Imps sing.
Crewe should not think they are the only team with strikers with the Imps spoilt for choice for once. After finding a few quid under a stone the ever generous board, have allowed CS to bring in the Somma (good luck lad) for a month. Davide partners, heart specialists and resuscitation equipment at the ready please, Paul Connor who is desperate to repay the fans faith. We`re with you Paul and Davide and will roar Sutton and his mighty Imps on all the way. Get 3 points today and we have won our first Cup final of the season Imps!
The Imps Go 4-4-2 / 4-1- 4-1
Rob Burch the patron saint and saviour of Sincil starts as ever. Pearce will overcome his knock and partner Swaibu in defence, both can expect another very busy day. Anderson and a fit again Green complete the defence, unless Sutton wants to chance a lightweight Hughton in the wrong position against Bailey who will roast him like a ripe chestnut. Should the Imps play 4-1-4-1 Saunders may play behind the middle 2 allowing Hughton back onto the wing with Kerr and Herd set to amass more cards than Clintons up against potential match winner Grant and the less than placid Walton. That will leave new boy Davide Somma and fit for once Connor to fight for the striking role, however now awash with strikers Sutton may have a cunning plan and play two of them at the same time. In this case Saunders will partner Kerr and deal with Grant, Herd will move wide and Hughton will sit on the bench. It will be interesting to see how a half South Aftrican, half Italian and half American striker does. With 50% extra no wonder Grayson Rates him.
(G) 1 Robert Burch
(D) Paul Green 5 Moses Swaibu 13 Ian Pearce 38 Joe Anderson
(M) 4/5 from 11 Scott Kerr, 39 Matt Saunders 25 34 Chris Herd 35 Brian Gilmore 25 Hughton
(ST) 1 / 2 from 18 Somma 9 Paul Connor.
Subs
20 Paul Musselwhite (G) 6 Daniel Hone (D) 7 Stefan Oakes (M) 19 Shane Clarke (M) 23 Clark Keltie (M) 14 Lenell John-Lewis (ST) Hughton /Connor
Form
Overall Record Position 19th
P 32 W 9 D 6 L 17 F 26 A 46 GD -20 PTS 33
Home Record Position 16th
P 15 W 6 D 3 L 6 F 15 A 18 GD -3 PTS 21
Last 5 L-D-W-D-L
Crewe Line up 4-4-2
It`s all change up front from Crewe with the return of both Zola and Donaldson. Clayton Donaldson came on for Shaun Miller in Tuesday`s 0-1 home defeat against the Spireites and is set to start. Otherwise Crewe will put out the same team with Captain Mat Mitchel-King (back) possibly included in the squad if he has not had a reaction to training on Friday. Midfielder Steve Schumacher is definitely out with his back problem.
(G) 31 Steve Phillips
(D) 5 (RB) Daniel O’Donnell, 2 (CB) John Brayford 27 (CB) Harry Worley 19 (LB) Ashley Westwood
(M) 23 (RM) Matt Tootle, 11 (RCM ) Joel Grant 28 Simon Walton (LCM) 16 James Bailey (LM)
(ST) 10 Calvin Makongo Zola 8 Clayton Donaldson
Subs
13 Adam Legzdins (G) 6 Patrick Ada (D) 20 Danny Shelley (D) 34 Danny Gardner (D) 18 Luke Murphy (M) 15 Shaun Miller (ST) 14 Byron Moore (ST)
Form
Overall Record Position 15th
P 32 W 12 D 5 L 15 F 49 A 51 GD -2 PTS 41
Away Record Position 6th
P 16 W 7 D 2 L 7 F 26 A 27 GD -1 PTS 23
Last 5 L-W-W-L-D
Biggest Away Win Grimsby Town 4-0, Cheltenham Town 4-0
Heaviest Away Defeat Macclesfield Town 1-4
Heroes & Villains
Hotshots
Imps – Rene Howe 5, Chris Fagan 4, Jamie Clarke 4, Chris Herd 3, Brian Gilmour 2, Sergio Torres 2, Steven Lennon 2, Janos Kovacs 1, Aaron Brown 1, Delroy Facey 1, Cian Hughton 2 Moses Swaibu 1
The Alex – Calvin Makongo Zola 16, Clayton Donaldson 6, Joel Grant 6, Ashley Westwood 4, Steven Schumacher 4, Shaun Miller 4
Assists
Imps – 4 Scott Kerr, Drew Broughton 2, Chris Herd 2, Cian Hughton 2, Delroy Facey 2, Lenell John-Lewis 2, Stefan Oakes 2 Michael Gordon 1, Brian Gilmour 1
The Alex – John Brayford 5 Joel Grant 3 Seam Miller 3 Byron Moore 3, Ashley Westwood 2, Clayton Donaldson 2, Luke Murphy 2, Billy Jones
Card Collectors
Imps – Reds 4
1 Aaron Brown, 1 Ian Pearce, 1 Eric Lichaj 1 Moses Swaibu.
Yellows – 64
9 Scott Kerr, 6 Janos Kovacs, 8 Chris Herd, 4 Moses Swaibu, 5 Cian Hughton, 3 Shane Clarke, 3 Rene Howe, 2 Dany Hone, 2 Adam Watts, 2 Nathan Baker, 2 Joe Heath, 2 Anthony Pulis, 2 Stefan Oakes, 2 Andrew Hutchinson, 1 Brian Gilmore, 1 Ian Pearce , 1 Drew Broughton, 1 Paul Green,1 Rob Burch, 1 Khano Smith, 1 Jamie Clarke, 1 Aaron Brown, 1 Richard Butcher, 1 Chris Fagan, 1 Sergio Torres, 1 Eric Lichaj 1.
Crewe Red Cards – 2
Billy Jones 1 Patrick Ada 1
Yellow Cards 25
Shaun Miller 5, Ashley Westwood 4, Billy Jones 2, Simon Walton 2, Harry Worley 2, Mat Mitchell-King 2
Ker-Ching
Imps
Highest Gate 5527 Notts County
Lowest Gate 2569 Port Vale
Average Attendance 3735
Total Turnstile Clicks 56033
Crewe
Highest Gate 6943 Port Vale
Lowest Gate 3278 Chesterfield
Average Attendance 4072
Total Turnstile Clicks 65156
