The last team Lincoln City wanted to face right now was rampant Hartlepool, with Danny Wilson`s side ripping up the division like no other side this season.
The Victoria Park outfit have bagged an incredible 12 goals in their last three outings – including nine in two away games – and it is that sort of form that has resulted in Wilson picking up the manager of the month award.
The one saving grace in the Imps` favour is that the award usually comes with a jinx attached, with a regular pattern developing of sides losing their next match after the boss has won the plaudits.
All City fans will be hoping history repeats itself tonight as John Schofield`s men look to reverse a slump in form that has seen them lose two consecutive matches without scoring a goal.
To be brutally honest, the Imps have been woeful in their past couple of outings and it has been very much a case of after the Lord Mayor`s show with a series of impressive showings being replaced by an alarming ineptitude shown by most of the men in red and white shirts.
It`s like their skills and ability have been stripped from them overnight and after a bright opening, they will need a decent performance tonight if their season isn`t to head into a serious downward spiral.
Another worrying aspect at Sincil Bank is a serious lack of depth to the squad, not helped by sending out several players on loan this week.
With Danny Bacon at Worksop and youngsters Ayden Duffy, Tom Kemp and Phil Watt also enjoying spells away from the club, the management duo of Schofield and John Deehan duly decided to let Luke Foster, Ryan Semple and Jamie Sherlock sample life away from the Imps, sending them to York, Chester and Ilkeston respectively.
A couple of injuries and suspensions and suddenly City are in the mire – indeed, apart from the 16 likely players to be named in the squad tonight, it is difficult to pick out any others who are likely to call themselves first-teame
Vital Quotes:
John Schofield, Lincoln City head coach:We have performed reasonably well all season.
We know what needs to be done and we need to step everything up a gear. We have got to be careful that we do not just turn into a passing team. We have got to earn the right to play.
“Today’s game is now massive for us and it is a game we have got to take maximum points out of.”
Danny Wilson, Hartlepool boss:
It’s always nice to be recognised when you’ve done well and the players deserve a pat on the back,’ Wilson said after scopping the League Two manager of the month award.
‘They’ve had some tough games, but have been strong in each one and had the reward that comes with that.
“I think we’ve played quite well all season but when you get the results you get the awards and thankfully we got them.’
Lincoln City Team News:
Imps head coach John Schofield could make changes after two successive defeats, with Martin Gritton, Colin Cryan, Ryan Amoo and Ollie Ryan all pushing for starting berths.
Nicky Eaden has extended his loan spell for another month and he could retain his place in the side despite some very poor recent performances, although Amoo could get the nod to start again.
The City squad is down to the bare bones following the club`s decision to loan out Danny Bacon, Ryan Semple, Luke Foster and Jamie Sherlock, so not many changes are likely from the team that lost 2-0 to Bury last week.
Nat Brown is nearing a first-team return following a wrist injury, but striker Gary Birch is still sidelined with a knee problem.
Player to watch: Nicky Eaden
In a move that has disappointed fans, Eaden has been re-signed for another month’s loan period at SIncil Bank and all eyes will be on him to see if he can actually turn in a half-decent display after a series of woeful performances.
Hartlepool Utd Team News:
In-form Pools striker Jon Daly, who has bagged seven goals in three games, is a doubt for the visitors after suffering a head injury against Wrexham last week that needed stitches.
Young midfielder Gary Liddle, who has netted three times in three games, is also a concern for boss Danny Wilson after receiving a dead leg against the Dragons, but both players are expected to feature for the north-east side.
Tony Sweeney and Michael Proctor remain sidelined with knee injuries, while Mark Tinkler is on the road to recovery although he is not yet ready fo a first-team return.
Player to watch: Jon Daly
It looked like being another season of under-performing for Irishman Daly after his first six games returned just the one goal.
But he has sparked to life in his last three outings, bagging an incredible seven goals to suddenly shoot to the top of the scoring charts.
He is an injury doubt for Danny Wilson’s men, and the Imps will be crossing their fingers in the hope he doesn’t make it onto the pitch.
Match Facts & Stats
Lincoln:
Last six matches: WWLWLL
Last six home: DDWWLL
Hartlepool:
Last six matches – WWdWWW
Last six away – WLddWW
Match Prediction:
After two shocking performances, it is difficult to predict a City win tonight and the way both sides are playing, I really have to predict a Hartlepool victory.
But the manager of the month curse may strike Pools, although I think this is a case of clutching at straws, don’t you?
Next Fixtures:
Lincoln:
Saturday 14 October: Barnet (a)
Hartlepool:
Saturday 14 October: Stockport (h)
