Lincoln City take their title credentials to fellow promotion-chasers Swindon this afternoon in League Two`s game of the day.
But they will find a Robins outfit still reeling from the departures of boss Dennis Wise and his assistant Gus Poyet. With the duo leaving for Leeds United in midweek.
The former Chelsea team-mates had performed wonders at the County Ground, turning the fallen giants into a team with genuine title aspirations – the pair leave the side sitting pretty in third place in the table.
But as seems to be the way in football nowadays, Wise displayed a total lack of loyalty to the club that gave him his big break and he opted to take the first train out of Wiltshire as soon as the call came.
So, defender Adie Williams, who Wise signed in the summer, takes temporary charge of team affairs and he has brought in former team-mate from his Reading days, Barry Hunter, to maintain a steady ship.
And whether the Imps find a club in mourning, with morale low, or one that is determined to show Wise and Poyet what they are missing remains to be seen, but the last thing the Robins needed right now was a trip from rampant City, a side who have scored 14 goals in their last three games.
And John Schofield`s men go into the clash boosted by the news that star midfielder Lee Frecklington has signed a new two-year deal with the Imps.
Frecklington has come of age this season, playing in every match and displaying maturity beyond his years by performing brilliantly all campaign. Former boss Keith Alexander was reluctant to play the ex-Imps scholar in his final year in charge, and Schofield`s decision to place his faith in the 21-year-old shows just how wrong Alexander was about him.
Frecklington could yet turn out to be the best ever player to come out of the youth ranks possibly joining other ex-trainees such as Darren Huckerby and Matt Carbon who went on to play at the top level.
But for now, Frecklington`s mission is to get the Imps out of League Two and while he continues to pull the strings alongside Scott Kerr in the centre of midfield, there is every chance he will be playing at a higher level next season.
Vital Quotes:
Barry Hunter, Swindon assistant-boss:
Lincoln are absolutely flying and it looks like it will be a cracking match. These sorts of games are why you want to be involved in football.”
John Schofield, Lincoln head coach:
If someone was to offer me a terrible game and a 1-0 win, I would settle for that.”
Swindon Town Team News:
Swindon are without suspended Jerel Ifil after the defender collected his fifth booking of the season last week.
The Robins also have doubts surrounding midfielder Paul Evans as he is struggling with a hamstring strain. Phil Smith will continue in goal, with a broken arm keeping number one stopper Peter Brezovan on the sidelines.
Player to watch: Andy Monkouse
Signed in the summer from Rotherham, 26-year-old Monkhouse is a tricky winger who hasn’t really fulfilled his potential in his eight-year football career, but who has the bility to play at a higher level.
Lincoln City Team News:
The Imps will have to make a change to their line-up following Nicky Eaden`s return to Nottingham Forest. Lee Beevers could revert back to right-back, with Adie Moses slotting into the centre of defence alongside Nat Brown after recovering from an ankle injury.
Midfielder Lee Frecklington has shaken off a calf strain and will play, but skipper Paul Morgan hasn`t recovered from a hamstring problem and he remains on the sidelines with Gary Birch (knee).
Player to watch: Nat Brown
Former Huddersfield defender Brown has missed the majority of the season through injury, but he has finally returned to action in his customary centre-back role, rather than the midfield position in which former boss Keith Alexander persisted in.
Brown has looked far more comfortable at centre-half and his return has coincided with a run of just one goal conceded in three games and his form could well mean that he keeps skipper Paul Morgan out of the side.
Match Facts & Stats
Swindon:
ast six matches: DDDWLW
ast six home: DWWLDW
Lincoln:
ast six matches: LLWWdW
ast six away: LWWWLW
Match Prediction:
You just cannot back against City at the moment, and while a trip to the County Ground will seriously test their mettle I believe they are more than capable of claiming yet another win on the road.
I will go for a 2-1 win to the Imps, with Lee Frecklington and Mark Stallard scoring the goals.
Next Fixtures:
Swindon:
aturday 4 November: Hereford (h)
Lincoln:
aturday 4 November: Stockport (a)
