Programme – Lincoln

In The Programme – Lincoln City

Ah, August Bank Holiday Monday. Sun is shining, crowds flocking to the beaches (and the Vetch of course) and everyone enjoying their day off work. Well that’s how it should be anyway, so here I am a week before the event crossing my fingers and hoping that I am right – let’s see shall we?

Still no Vetch wins this season and no Vetch wins at all for Kenny Jackett – something that has to change soon surely. More worryingly, we have only won two league matches here at the Vetch so far in 2004. That’s right folks, in 13 previous league matches at the Vetch in 2004 we have won just two games. 5 draws and 6 defeats in those thirteen games makes for very worrying statistics indeed and something that we need to put right and quickly. Scunthorpe were beaten in March, Leyton Orient in February – those the only occasions in the league this year we can boast a home win. I know those figures scared me when I read them – I’m sure people reading this are equally as worried too.

Kenny will be keen to break that duck today against Lincoln, a good gauge of how we can compete for the play offs this season. Last time the Imps visited here they were 2-0 up within about ten minutes of kick off only to be pulled back for a draw and that is just the kind of fighting spirit that we need to see at the moment. We are on a run that has seen us win, as well as the above fact, 5 league games in 2004 (from 26) and confidence must be at a low – not just amongst the fans but the players at all. As John Hollins’ side once proved, winning can become a habit and at the moment we need to string two wins together. Be that by luck, judgement or sheer footballing skill, at the moment I don’t think that matters – we need to get out of this habit we are in of not winning and get some wins under our belt. I don’t believe we are a bad a team as the results of this year suggest and a couple of wins could do wonders for our confidence and kick start our season.

Of course that habit may have started as I write these notes before we play both QPR and Cambridge but two tough away trips on our form would suggest a nil return but you just never know in this game. As someone once said (well he said it several times) it’s a funny old game.

Now that I have depressed you all, let’s move on. Great to see Lee Trundle back in action last week and of course goalscoring action. No matter what criticism he has you have to hand it to Lee – he is a natural goalscorer and when he is on the pitch things do happen. We need him in the side and we need to work to his strengths. Lee can turn provider as well as score the goals that can get us those much needed wins and let’s keep fingers crossed that now it’s a fit Lee Trundle that makes his way through the season and the injuries bypass him this time around.

Yet again I read last weekend of things being thrown around the North Bank. Is it any wonder that some people stay away from the ground when these antics are happening. I’m sorry to harp on about this but it is a pet hate of mine this kind of action and, as a parent myself, I certainly wouldn’t contemplate taking my children on the Bank at the moment (and it hurts me to say that) just in case they got hit by a missile thrown by an idiot. Once again, I implore the 99% of decent fans out there – if you see it happen, point it out and rid the club of these people. If you are one of the missile throwers reading this then think about what you are doing and what it can potentially do to the club. What would you rather £10,000 spent on – a fine for your actions or the wages of a loan player for a month or two? Hmm, difficult one?

Anyway, its events on the pitch that will hopefully matter this afternoon. Forget the stats, no matter how worrying they are and for 90 minutes get behind the team, give them a lift and hope that we get three points this afternoon. This place used to be a fortress, let’s get back to that stage again – wouldn’t it be nice to say in May we didn’t lose one of the last 21 games at the Vetch?

JACKARMY!

Phil Sumbler

You can keep updated on the views of the fans by visiting www.jackarmy.net – Supporting the Swans, All Day, Every Day.

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