How Sutton is tranforming the Imps
By theimps.ka
March 30 2010
It may have taken some time but the Imps are finally showing improvement under Chris Sutton. The rookie manager has wheeled and dealed with transfers and loans, finally appearing to assemble a side that would have the quality for a promotion push, it's just a pity of them are on loan.
Sutton started life at Sincil Bank in decent manner by securing two wins from his first two matches, a record that any manager would be pleased with. It all turned a bit sour pretty quickly though and although his shifted the useless deadwood such as Janos Kovacs, the Imps would go from October 10th to December 26th without a League victory. It was at this point that many started to question whether Sutton was indeed the right man for the Imps job.
Now we sit here as we enter April and although the potential to get relegated is still there, it would take something pretty miraculous for all the teams below the Imps to pick up enough points to go beyond the Imps, making us effectively safe.
Such is the amount of transforming that Sutton has done since his arrival seven months ago, a total of eighteen players joined either permanently or on loan (before someone gets pedantic, Sergio Torres left and then came back). Whilst there were some (such as Khano Smith) who would have found even the Unibond South Division (Lincoln United's level) too much for their level of "skill," the Imps fans have seen some brilliant young players wearing the re
d and white this season.
Chris Herd (right) is one the favourites for Player of the Season after joining on loan from Aston Villa in November. His impact as a player started a fans campaign to get the funds raised to pay for his wages and even he admits that he is open to the possibility of joining the Imps on a permanent basis in the summer. He is certainly not the only youngster to have impressed though and City will fancy their chances of landing Steven Lennon on a permanent basis. The Scot has impressed a lot of fans since joining on loan from Rangers in January, whereas Matt Saunders and Joe Anderson are improving with every game.
The results have certainly improved in recent times and the fact that the home form has drastically improved since Sutton took charge will hopefully encourage more fans to Sincil Bank next term. Only three teams have picked up maximum points at Sincil Bank since Sutton took charge, two of whom are challenging for automatic promotion. However, City should have accumulated more points and had it not been for sitting back on leads against teams such as the recent games against Northampton and Crewe then we'd already be safe by some way.
Infact, the sitting back aspect is the one thing that majorly bugs me about Sutton's teams. The tactic seems to be establish a lead and then show little more attacking intent during the game. There have been very few games where you can say that the opposition were considerable better than us. The only game in recent weeks where the opposition have been better than us was the game at Port Vale, other than that no team looked overly special.
However, other than that small issue I feel that we are certainly heading in the right direction under Sutton and I can't picture a relegation struggle again next season. Even if you take out the bottom two and ignore the table, there are easily (at least) two/three teams worse than us and I find myself with a renewed sense of optimism. It's just a pity that our unbeaten come earlier in the season.
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I for one have always behind Sutton, I think because I put a realistic slant on things, I knew he would make some big mistakes and that he would struggle to come to terms with league 2. He has never played outside of a big club so his knowledge and understanding of lesser players was always going to be a learning curve.
Next season is one of renewed optimism, the fitness will be much improved and so too will the quality.
The individual level of skill of some of the players is great but are we realistically going to be able to get Herd, Saunders and Somma here again next season, I dont think so BUT for every player we miss out on there are others about to be shown the door (or loan door) by good clubs where Sutton has the contacts. Also good strikers that are going to be released from 'bigger' clubs will see Sutton as someone who will improve them, as defenders will with Pearce.
Midfield is a big concern with Kerr not good enough and out of contract, Oakes, not consistent enough and out of contract...this leaves us with Shane Clarke and Richard Butcher (Cian Hughton def/mid!!??) as our only contracted midfielders!! I would like to see some true 'wingers' come to the club so we can stretch teams as we have been stretched this season.
Burch needs to be replaced but I think Sutton will fill this no problem.....GK's always want first team football, I just hope he signs two that will push each other all the way.
EWxciting summer ahead, not just because of the world cup but I imagine to see some good movement in and out of LCFC but Sutton will not hold any prisoners in his retained list I guarantee it.....with Kerr first out IMO.
CS - I am right behind you, go and make us proud.
Agree on the wingers, and CS said a few weeks back that he'll be looking to bring in out and out ball carriers and improve the wide areas.
I don't agree with that at all. Janos and Swabu were a perfectly good centre back pairing. Just needed a bit of coaching.
Quote:Improvise
"useless deadwood such as Janos Kovacs"
I don't agree with that at all. Janos and Swabu were a perfectly good centre back pairing. Just needed a bit of coaching.
I think Deadwood was a bit harsh but I don't think Kovacs would improve the team. He was OK......aerially he was impressive but when played through on the deck his inabilities were seriously exposed.
Wasn't sure about Sutton at first but he has won me over big time we are much better now.
I'm sure the hanging on to leads will disappear in time but on Saturday we very nearly scored before they levelled and we nearly nicked it at the end.
Just hope Sutton's powers of persuasion can work as well in the transfer market to get players in permanently as he did in the loan market.
Here we go again!
Will we ever get the right man?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:03:30:19:31:01 by davidimp.
Luton fans like him, but will comment about his very slow turning circle.
I liken him to Butcher, in the right team at the right time there is a place for them both.
Kovacs is like Futcher who played well in a back 5 with Morgan sweeping.
Quote:Improvise
"useless deadwood such as Janos Kovacs"
I don't agree with that at all. Janos and Swabu were a perfectly good centre back pairing. Just needed a bit of coaching.
Still not sure about Swabu. Poor headers at times from him with the one on Saturday against Northampton giving them their goal. Too many headers go up from him and not powered away.
Quote:City Til I DieQuote:Improvise
"useless deadwood such as Janos Kovacs"
I don't agree with that at all. Janos and Swabu were a perfectly good centre back pairing. Just needed a bit of coaching.
Still not sure about Swabu. Poor headers at times from him with the one on Saturday against Northampton giving them their goal. Too many headers go up from him and not powered away.
The mistake that led to their goal occured some seconds before Swaibu's header; Kerr lost the ball trying to bring it clear, setting up their initial attack from the left wing. If there's one bad side to Kerr's game, it is that he tends to lose the ball too easily.
Quote:PoshImp
If there's one bad side to Kerr's game, it is that he tends to lose the ball too easily.
Kerr is a sophisticated, complex player.
As such, there is more than one bad side to his game.
We all dream of a team of Musselwhites.