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“He doesn’t get the best from the squad.”

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During their first season back in the Football League, The Imps picked up three points against today’s opponents.

It was a case of two 4-1 victories. The Imps took on Crewe Alexandra at Gresty Road, in front of a crowd of 4,723. Crewe took the lead in the 8th minute through Michael Raynes, but The Imps totally dominated the match after the halftime break. The City goalscorers after the break were Anderson (50′ & 67′), Raynes (70′ OG) and Whitehouse (90+4′).

Shall we not go into the second match? Vital Lincoln City were the Match Sponsors, and we lost 4-1 in front of 8,272 in February. Michael Bostwick was the goalscorer for The Imps that day, in the 35th minute. The Crewe goalscorers were Pickering (45′), Bowery (48′ & 68′) and Green.

Anyway, time for the Q&A. Thank you to Crewe Alexandra supporter Ben for answering our questions!

How long have you supported Crewe Alexandra?

Followed Crewe for many years but actually started going home and away matches around five years ago.

Where did you finish last season?

15th.

What do you think of your Manager?

He’s a nice guy, but inexperienced. He doesn’t have a plan A or B. He doesn’t get the best from the squad.

What are your hopes and expectations for this season?

Start of the season was to hopefully push for the playoff positions, but now it will just be to get as many points as possible and hopefully finish above Vale, we won’t get relegated but won’t go much further up the table now.

One(s) to watch?

My favourite player is Charlie Kirk. Also, George Ray and Perry NG are also having good seasons.

Who do you think will finish in the top 7?

I think it will be the current 7 teams that are in it now apart from Oldham will replace Forest Green. Not sure on what order though, I think Milton Keynes Dons will win the league with Lincoln finishing 2nd.

Who do you think will finish in the bottom 2?

Macclesfield Town and Notts County.

What are your thoughts on Lincoln City?

Slightly overachieving, but did not think they would be in the position they are, Danny & his staff are doing a great job with the team, will be a solid top 4 League Two team next season if the club are not promoted this year.

What do you think the score will be?

My heart is saying 2-1 Alex, but my head is saying 3-1 Lincoln.

What will your likely default formation and style of play be for this season?

4-4-1-1.

Random fact about your Club?

Dario Gradi whose 24 years between 1983 – 2007, made him the longest-serving manager in Football League history.

If you could steal one Lincoln City player for your own team, who would it be and why?

John Akinde. He can score goals which our strikers cannot do on a regular basis.

What are your proudest and most embarrassing moments as a Crewe Alexandra Supporter?

Proudest would be the 2-0 win at Wembley for the Football League Trophy in 2013.

Most embarrassing would have to be any loss against Port Vale.

Who would you say is your most underrated player?

Harry Pickering.

Do you have a Supporters Trust and what role do they play at the Club?

No answer provided.

Which was your favourite match involving Crewe Alexandra?

2-2 draw with Port Vale last season, we were the better team all game but were losing 2-1 until the 96th minute when a brilliant team build up from the goalkeeper all the way to Charlie Kirk who netted the equaliser.

Which was your least favourite match involving Crewe Alexandra?

The recent Cup defeat to Carlisle, played terrible all game, mid-week evening game and lost 1-0 to an own goal in the 93rd minute.

Do you have a Former Players Association at Crewe Alexandra?

No answer provided.

The disparity between your home and away records is striking – 20 points at home, but only 5 away (with just 3 goals scored). Why do you think that is?

Not a clue, to be honest, it could be our tactics, who knows?. I don’t’ even think anybody has the answer to this.

Is the legacy of the Crewe Academy causing any problems? Is there an unfair expectation now that it will continue to produce a string of players for the first team?

I don’t think there is an expectation anymore, because the quality has dropped massively from years gone by, it just seems like you go to Reaseheath College play football and automatically start to play for Crewe weather your good or not, it’s just a given.

Following on from the above question on the Academy, do you think the Club should lower its status to release further money for the first team?

Yes, the academy is taking up to much money with not enough quality in return, and when there is the occasional decent player they are sold anyway. The money would be better spent on proven players than teenagers out of college.

Posted by Vital Lincoln City on Wednesday, 26 December 2018

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