The young Imps go to goal Kings Crewe, like David to Goliath. All see wimps not Imps going to our slaughter with Dario’s Alex A1 in an eight-one extravaganza in their game goalfest at Gresty Road. Their Cherry picking of Cheltenham was not the first high tempo high scoring lesson handed out by the gladiatorial Gresty goal machines this season. A 7-0 bludgeoning of Barnet and a fabulous 5-5 against League leaders Chesterfield shows we have much to fear we hear; yet a five man midfield will do the trick and give us much to cheer.
But have faith you Imps carrying a cloud above your head and pierce it with your horns to reveal a silver lining (Uncle Bob would not run to gold). We drew 0-0 here last December against all the odds and can do again, for this and Bury are games where we can afford to go for a point or even lose, as long as the psychological damage is not too great coming into the Cheltenham game.
To the Teams, Schemes & Potential Screams
Crewe 4-3-3
Two hat tricks and a brace suggests little tampering with the front three for Crewe, with manager Dario wishing his daredevils to finish the season unbeaten and in style. Luke Murphy will not return to the midfield with Westwood A and Shelley completing the trio. In defence Dugdale will replace warhorse Artell and fiery young forward Nick Powell is back after returning from England under 17 duty.
Taylor
Tootle Dugdale A.M. Westwood Blanchett
Shelley Bell A. Westwood
Donaldson Miller Grant
Lincoln City 4-4-2
The Imps will return to the 4-5-1 phalanx that clearly has its pros and cons. Kilby, Howell and O’Keefe should strangle the midfield allowing Fuseini and McCallum to show their counter offensive capabilities. Ben Hutchinson will be trying to secure a contract, preferred for his all round mobility as opposed to Broughton’s aerial prowess.
Parish
Kelly Hone Watts Anderson
Howell Fuseini Kilby O’Keefe McCallum
Hutchinson
Head-to-Head & Recent Duels With Dario The Great
History is as much on our side as the bookies in fairness in this one although half the games have at least yielded us a point. Of 48 games played Alexandra have 24 victories, The Mighty Imps 13, leaving 11 draws. We will leave the goal count.
Last season saw a battling performance by the 22nd placed Imps, with Burch, Swaibu and cruncher Kerr putting in heroic performances as we held out for 0-0 and a clean sheet (ATT 3,632 - 230 Imps). Oh for a repeat of that one today.
Recent encounters between the teams
| Season | Date | Team | Result | Team | Comp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010/2011 | Sat 28 Aug | Lincoln City | 1 - 1 | Crewe Alex. | League Two |
| 2009/2010 | Sat 27 Feb | Lincoln City | 1 - 1 | Crewe Alex. | League Two |
| 2009/2010 | Sat 05 Dec | Crewe Alex. | 0-0 | Lincoln City | League Two |
| 2005/2006 | Tue 23 Aug | Lincoln City | 5 - 1 | Crewe Alex. | League Cup |
| 1993/1994 | Sat 26 Mar | Lincoln City | 1 - 2 | Crewe Alex. | League Division Three |
| 1993/1994 | Sat 02 Oct | Crewe Alex. | 2 - 2 | Lincoln City | League Division Three |
| 1992/1993 | Sat 27 Mar | Lincoln City | 1 - 1 | Crewe Alex. | League Division Three |
For a detailed analysis of the complete head-to-head record between the two sides, click here
Recent respective form guides
Although just nine points and 6 places separate the two teams, this has a chalk and cheese goal fest written all over it. Anyone trying to join the 92 club should make a bee-line for this fixture with proven pace and potent attack against a case for the defence leaning towards an insanity plea. The Imps also shorn of Grimes, their sole goal machine have seen a decent away record dwindle to deliver just 1 point from our last 6 trips with 6 goals for and 14 against. Crewe won 8-1 against Cheltenham, who we play in a 6 pointer on Easter Monday, last time out and have won 4, drawn 1 and lost 1 of their last 6, scoring 15 goals, and conceding 3.
They are 14th for a reason you feel and 4-5-1 today may ask enough questions to answer why.
Current overall team form
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crewe Alexandra | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 6 | 7 |
| Lincoln City | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 17 | 1 |
For a detailed analysis of current team form guides in this or any division, click here
Lincoln City Mad's prediction ...
Neil - Hard hat time, a clean sheet and a draw against all the odds anyone?
Vic Erzantarz - An Imps win - the beer goggles are working well so far this weekend and I have been speeking to our new columnist DR Sincil Drone.
Ivan Impgrass - Home win, a handsome one I would wager.
Sequence statistics
| Team | Sequences |
|---|---|
| Crewe Alexandra | Unbeaten in the last 5 home games. Not drawn a match in their last 3 . |
| Lincoln City | Lost each of the previous 3 away matches. Not won in previous 7 away matches. An overall losing run of 5 games. No win in the 6 most recent games. |
For a detailed analysis of current team sequences throughout the leagues, click here