During their first season back in Sky Bet League Two, The Imps picked up four points against tonight’s opponents Yeovil Town. The first meeting between the two sides was played on Saturday 9th December at Huish Park in front of a crowd of 2,472. Matt Green opened the goalscoring for The Imps in the 50th minute, then 19 minutes later Matt Rhead made it 2-0.
The match at Sincil Bank, which was played on Saturday 5th May and was the final match of the regular season, finished 1-1 in front of a crowd of 10,004. Jordan Green put the visitors in front in the 10th minute. In the 30th minute, The Imps were given a penalty after Bevis Mugabi handled. Matt Green stepped up to take the penalty, but it was saved. Tom Pett made it 1-1 in the 77th minute with a beautiful finish.
Not going to the match tonight? Join our Yeovil Town v Lincoln City Match Thread on 100% Imps!
Anyway, time for the Q&A.
Thank you to Yeovil Town supporter Aaron for answering our questions!
How long have you supported Yeovil Town?
Since 2000, just in time for the glory days. Turning full time, entering the Football League by breaking Conference records and subsequently climbing the Football League pyramid. Winning the FA Trophy at Villa Park, 2 Wembley appearances.
Where did you finish last season?
19th, W12 D12 L22.
What do you think of your Manager?
Disenchanted, a club legend as a player, known for his tenacity and fight despite his small stature. Ultimately, not living up to many supporters expectations as a manager. Way sees it as a great achievement to keep Yeovil in the Football League, I believe we can achieve much more than simply maintaining Football League status. He seems to not have a plan B, and sticks by his formation and system regardless of players available. Some changes in backroom staff have seen 2 wins from the last 2 games – it could be the turning point.
What are your hopes and expectations for this season?
Expectations were set high, from the manager saying ‘anyone who can’t deliver a top 7 finish, shouldn’t be involved’ and a good start to the season including a Yeovil EFL biggest win record with a 6-0 away win at Newport. Speculation that Way was given a considerable playing budget this year and an ex-director claiming that with the budget apparently given, anything less than promotion would be a failure. I had high hopes for this season but with injuries and some lacklustre performances, we’ll hopefully avoid the drop as a result of two teams being extremely poor, Notts Co. being one of those.
One(s) to watch?
Tom James – couldn’t agree to personal terms with WBA for a 400k deal in the summer. Primarily a full back, but has been known to operate at both centre back and just in the front of the back four. He has a lovely knuckleball free kick in his locker and has been in the goals recently. Out of contract at the end of this season, so may have to cash in, before the close of this window.
Who do you think will finish in the top 7?
In this order: Lincoln City, Milton Keynes Dons, Bury, Mansfield Town, Exeter City, Colchester United and Forest Green Rovers.
Who do you think will finish in the bottom 2?
Notts County and Morecambe.
What are your thoughts on Lincoln City?
Have kept more than an eye on Lincoln over the past couple of years, many due to the unusual dynamic of the Cowley brothers. Have had ups and downs, obviously dropping down into the conference and struggling but have always been known for having a great following and keeping attendances up. A great FA Cup run a few years ago beating Ipswich, BHA and Burnley is an incredible achievement and you are enjoying a great spell under the Cowley brothers. Giving chances to young managers who have had proven success at other clubs. Similar to ex-Yeovil player Nathan Jones. I’m pretty confident that you’ll enjoy automatic promotion this year and have great foundations to do more than simply survive in League One. It says a lot about your side that you don’t have a striker close to leading the league in the boot race, there are goals all over the park.
What do you think the score will be?
2-0 Lincoln.
Random fact about your Club?
Yeovil True – reached the UK top 40 in 2005.
If you could steal one Lincoln City player for your own team, who would it be and why?
Bozzy. Michael Bostwick, Huge physical presence and a leader who has been there and done it.
What are your proudest and most embarrassing moments as a Yeovil Town Supporter?
The proudest moment has to be the promotion to the Championship, a great team of which most have gone onto to play at a higher level, Paddy Madden with a stunning outside of the boot finish at Wembley. The atmosphere for the home semi-final second leg against Sheffield United was incredible and to taste a Wembley win after losing to Blackpool in 2007 was amazing.
The most embarrassing moment is the successive relegations that see us in League Two now. Successive relegations usually exclusively for clubs in financial trouble. But an emphasis from the board on planning applications and land development around the ground meant that the football was put to one side, causing Gary Johnson to leave the club.
Who would you say is your most underrated player?
Sessi D’Almeida.
Which was your favourite match involving Yeovil Town?
Notts Forest 2-5 Yeovil Town – to come back and secure a Wembley trip from being 2-0 down in the first leg of the playoffs.
Which was your least favourite match involving Yeovil Town?
Yeovil Town 1-3 Stockport County – 10/11/18 – Particularly painful to be outplayed and knocked out of the FA Cup by a National League North side, coupled with a 2 and a half year contract extension for Darren Way just 10 days later.
Do you have a Former Players Association at Yeovil Town?
Not that I’m aware of.
Have you got enough to survive this season?
Should have, based on the fact there are 2 relegation spots and from what I’ve seen of Notts County, they have one of them.
What’s the best thing about Yeovil?
Palmers Fish & Chip shop, I encourage all away supporters to sample the fish and chips. It’s a small town with a population of 40k, there’s not an awful lot in Yeovil, which Darren Way has cited as one of the reasons it is difficult to sign players. When we are winning, the place enjoys a real buzz and the players are treated like heroes around the town.
What is the real view of Darren Way and his abilities?
Not up to the job, reputation as a player seems to mean he is unsackable. He doesn’t seem to get the best out of players, his interviews are shambolic and his relationship with the fans is beyond poor.
Darren Way’s league record as manager is very poor statistically: P145 W39 D48 L58 Points per game: 1.13 (equivalent to 52 points per season) Win rate: 26.89% – Do you feel his status as a club legend keeps him in his job?
Absolutely, no other manager would still be in the job. It’s probably tarnishing his legacy. The club looks unlikely to sack him, especially after handing him a 2 ½ year deal. Instead, fans asking him to walk away.
We rated Jordan Green very highly – how big a loss is he?
Don’t get me wrong, he’s got talent, he’s sharp and he’s rapid. But he’s lightweight and inconsistent.
Are International call-ups a help or hindrance?
I’m pretty sure we loan young internationals so we have enough call-ups to postpone games. Expect a Benin U23 player to be loaned anytime soon this window. The breaks help to break under the season, when you don’t carry winning momentum, is very handy.
How big a miss is Otis Khan? Has he been a success at Mansfield or would you have expected better?
Creative spark, he was the heartbeat of the Yeovil side last campaign but ultimately wanted to leave for the North. I would have expected him to do better, to be honest, I felt that he could be one of the league’s top performers this year.
Thank you to Graham Burrell and Lincoln City Football Club for the photograph!
"His interviews are shambolic and his relationship with the fans is beyond poor."https://t.co/alxTdapG96#YTFC #Yeovil #ImpsAsOne
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) January 22, 2019
https://www.facebook.com/VitalLincolnCity/posts/2027363453966556
