Reaction to the Barnet game : No More Hoof

By Nathan Jackson
January 14 2006

Lincoln's continued improvement saw a confident performance against Barnet and now the Imps have started playing football and like the other times we've done that, we controlled the opposition. However, the Imps will still have to improve to win at Peterborough next week to move nearer the playoffs

Anyone who ever sees this match and still claims we only play long ball football, seriously needs to get their vision sorted. We have recieved praise for our flowing, attractive football from all quarters from this game and without trying to sound magmanamous, that is exactly what happened. Just like the game against Darlington, if we started playing on the ground football, there are no teams in the division that can outplay up. This season, when we've played on the ground football, we've out-played several of the footballing sides. For well over an hour, we dominated Wycombe, we battered Orient in the second half, we confidently beat Chester, almost took all 3 points off Northampton and now against Barnet.

 

Steve Robinson's presence was the difference today, his professionalism and overall general skill was what changed the game for the Imps and although Yeo provided most of the decent attacking options, there is no question that Robinson was easily the best player for the Imps against Barnet. Only one player worried me today, Gareth McAuley, yet again, he was the player caught napping that allowed the bees to score their opener and yet again, we failed to keep a clean sheet which backs up what I said about Yeo not changing our real problems and the sooner we get clean sheets, the sooner we'll start winning on a regular basis.

 

McCombe's goal capped a typically excellent performance and there are some who argue that McCombe should stay as captain, even when Morgan gets back and McCombe really is starting to show why he deserves to play at a considerably higher level than he is now.

 

As amazing as it sounds, we've been awful most of this season but a win at Peterborough and the Imps could be 1 point behind Peterborough, who currently occupy the final playoff place.

 

 

"I think we haven't played any better than we've been playing in recent weeks but the balls gone in the net today and I'm pleased with the performance, especially after they took the early lead. You have to laugh, you still those people in the press saying we only play long ball but we've played 4-3-3 and played football the past 3 or 4 months."

"I watched the reserves during the week and it was a toss up between (Steve) Robinson and Lee Frecklington but Steve had the better game. Luke Foster needed the rest of Robbo had the experience to fill in"

"I thought we kept our shape well and despite given the ball away in silly areas but I'm happy overall"

"It was a classic away performance from us until we gave the ball away and allowed lincoln to get into it. In the second half lincoln changed their shape and were outstanding. They tore us to shreds and we ended up literally being mauled. If the game had gone on for another 10 mins the result would have been far worse for us."

Paul Fairclough, Barnet manager

"I wont tar all the Barnet players with the same brush but Anthony Charles is nothing short of a disgrace. He could have ended Steve Robinsons career. How he got away with it i don't know. It reminded me off the Essien challenge against Bolton. We're seeing the best out of Green now he's not having to chase longballs and Steve Robinson slotted in well on the right. In fact i don't think you can fault anyone today.  " Lincolnimp

"Shit! Shit! We really do have a relegation battle on our hands. I've been trying to avoid saying that for as long as I could but I'll admit that now. It isn't often we've gone ahead this season, especially away from home (no win away since August!) and normally it's been the case we've gone behind early on having started games slowly and then ended the game on an up. It seems today was the opposite-from the scoreline anyway." Beegirl

"It was one of those games where you just lose all discipline and goals being scored against are inevitable. The fluke fourth was one of those that just made me wonder why I bother. A horrible piece of luck that bounced in at the far post. Horrible." JamesBFC