Imps look to make it 6/6

By Nathan Jackson
April 7 2005

On Saturday, the Imps will attempt to do something all the other members of the top 7 have done and that is beat Swansea at home however, a defeat for the Imps would need City needed some favours from local rivals to stay in the playoff places.

The only way is down, last weekend saw City's usual monthly crap-athon with an extremely lacklusture display at Notts County which has thrown City right back in the fight to stay in the playoffs, a fight we can't seem to get out of. If results don't go City's way, City will be down to 8th and 2 points clear of 9th placed Wycombe. Win and nothing happens due to the Imps being 4 points behind 5th placed Macclesfield.

However, hopefully a few of City's local rivals can do us a favour. Scunny are away at Northampton, Wycombe are at Grimsby whilst Cambridge (it's within 100 miles, it's local) play Darlington. However, our neighbours doing us a favour won't mean anything if we don't beat Swansea.

Now when Keith promises changes, they don't materialise but they, when he doesn't, changes ahoy. However, the only likely change to the side that started against Notts County will be Asamoah replacing Green on the right of the attacking trio.

Most likely formation (Right to left)

Marriott

McAuley     Morgan        Futcher     McCombe     Sandwith

Butcher    Gain

Asamoah      GTF      Yeo.

 

Last season, Swansea were one of the teams controlling this division but fell apart towards the end, this season, they're doing much the same but without the falling apart bit. Under Kenny Jackett, Swansea have made this last season at their Vetch ground a memorable one. Swansea are due to play their last game at their (to be fairly) rustic ground in just over 3 weeks when they entertain Shrewsbury although if they make the playoffs, the Vetch will get one more outing.

A 2-0 win at Rochdale was sandwiched by defeats to Northampton and Macclesfield at the start of the season, a draw to Cheltenham and a Carling Cup exit to QPR looked set to make it a long hard season for the Swans, however a run of 7 wins in their next 9 home games saw them top the table and a 1-0 win over Mansfield saw them that only Welshmen happy that weekend as they topped the table during Wale's 2-0 defeat to England at Old Trafford.

They kept winning with the odd draw and lose here and there and the Christmas period was a goal frenzy winning 4-0, 5-1 and 3-1. Their good form continued into the new year but February hit and only 1 win in their 6 games and they quickly fell out of the automatic promotion picture. Swansea's current run sees them unbeaten in 5 and winning the last 3.

Away from home, Swansea have been impressive winning 8, however, they have lost all 5 games played at the grounds of the teams currently occupying the top 7, 3 1-0, 2-1 and a 4-2. They have only achieved one double so far this season, against Boston but have also only conceeded 1, against Yeovil.

Swansea have played at Sincil Bank 3 times since being relegated back to this divison in 2001/2, Lincoln have won all 3 times, 3-0, 2-1 and 1-0. The game earlier this season at the Vetch ended 1-0 to the Swans.