Imps hope for a third straight win against free-falling Vale

Lincoln City's two wins in a row have seen Steve Tilson's men move out of the relegation zone and the visit of free-falling Port Vale gives the Imps a brilliant chance for a third straight win, especially as the visitors have been freefalling since mid-December.

"If you hear a voice within you say "you cannot paint," then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced." ~Vincent Van Gogh

They say football is about confidence and that is certainly true of the Imps. A week ago we were in the situation where even winning wouldn't have pulled us out of the relegation zone, two wins in four days later and not only we out of the relegation zone, but some are even starting to talk about the 13 point gap between us and the Playoffs. It's almost surreal how quickly some people's opinions can be changed and how quickly all the negative aspects of our play disappear with a few wins.

The first 30 minutes of our game against Cheltenham was arguably the best we've played all season. To go to a team that are fighting for the Playoffs and dominate most of the game, not even allowing them in our own half for the first thirty minutes, is a true testament to what this team is capable of. Unlike games over the last few years, conceding a goal didn't seem to phase us and we generally continued the same attacking play that we had played at 2-0. Infact, City were quite unlucky not to have won by two or three more goals than they did.

Now we are in the strange situation of potentially being clear of the relegation zone on Saturday afternoon. What we know for sure is that if we don't lose, we definitely can't go bottom due to Hereford playing in the FA Cup. Infact, this could be the perfect opportunity for the Imps as all of our relegation rivals have difficult games. Barnet host Southend, Stockport travel to Rotherham, Burton don't play and Macclesfield go to an inconsistent Morecambe side. Infact, speaking of Burton, after this weekend they will have seven games in hand over both Barnet and Stockport, so whether you actually consider them to be in the relegation battle is a very different question. We could go as high as 19th with a win and potentially just one place behind Bradford, who we travel to on Tuesday.

However, we certainly shouldn't take Port Vale for granted. They were my personal pre-season favourites for the title and until their recent collapse, they were looking a good bet to win the League. Despite their poor form, they are due a win and Sincil Bank certainly isn't the proverbial fortress.

City will not be able to call on the services of new signing Patrick Kanyuka. The defender has yet to receive international clearance and will likely not play for the Imps for a few weeks. New signing Scott Spencer will also have to miss out as his paperwork won't be completed until Monday. Luke Howell will however be in contention after his loan deal was made permanent on Friday morning.

Hoyte returns to the side following his injury, but more we will more than likely see the same starting XI that dominated at Cheltenham. 

The Imps rarely beat the Valiants. Four meetings between the sides in the last two seasons has seen City take just three points, as opposed to the nine of their visitors. The first meeting during that time period came at the beginning of November in 2008. City went into the game on a roll, winning 5 out of the last 6 games but a wonder gaol just before half time won Vale the points. City did gain revenge in February 2009 with N'Guessan netting the only goal.

Last season's games were one sided for Port Vale on both occasions. Delroy Facey had forced an own goal from the goalkeeper to make it 1-1 at Sincil Bank before Louis Dodds became a rare example of an ex-Imp scoring against City to take the points back to Staffordshire. The game at Vale Park was one fo the most one sided affairs you'll ever see. Port Vale were ahead after 22 seconds, two ahead within three minutes, missed a penalty in the fifth minute before eventually making it 3-0 in the 15th. The score eventually finished 4-0, but it was a beating that inspired Sutton to bring in Davide Somma.

Port Vale currently have one former Imp in their playing squad, Louis Dodds. The youngster came to the Imps as a striker on loan from Leicester in the 2007/8 season, but later ended up as a midfielder. City did attempt to try and sign him permanently, but were beaten to his signature by Port Vale, where he has been ever since. Up until last season, ex-Imp Geoff Horsfield was also still on the playing staff at Port Vale.

City have two former Valiants that are registered as players, both goalkeepers. Paul Musslewhite is a Port Vale legend but his role at Sincil Bank is more of a coach and back up goalkeeper, making just one appearance in an Imps shirt. THe other is Joe Anyon, whom neither club's fans seem to rate.

Both sides have also shared Kevin Gall, Chris Herd, Craig Rocastle and Adrian Littlejohn in the last eleven years. Former Valiant Luke Prosser did have a trial at Sincil Bank in the summer, but eventually ended up at Southend.

Two months ago thing were rosey in Burslem. Top of the League and looking a good bet for the promotion many people had predicted for them, including myself. However, they've gone off the rails since Micky Adams was linked with the managerial vacancy at Sheffield United, a post he eventually took, and they haven't been the same since that moment. They're near enough completely out of the title picture and if they're not careful, it won't be long until they're out of the Playoff picture.

With an average away record overall, Port Vale haven't been doing overly well on the road recently. They won their first four away League games of the season, but have only won once since then, coming with a 5-0 win at Stockport County towards the end of November. Since then they have lost 5-0 on the road, and have lost every away game since that 5-0 win over Stockport.

A run of just one win in seven games has come after being unbeaten in eleven games, so the quality is there and maybe it's down to a confidence thing, meaning that a win could reignite their season.

Jim Gannon's side are strong throughout the squad, although Marc Richards is out injured. Ex-Imp Louis Dodds, Justin Richards and new signing Exodus Geohagon are all well known the the Imp, whereas Sean Rigg and Lewis Haldane played in the Bristol Rovers side that beat the Imps in the Playoffs several years back.