Keith Alexander described the defeat to Peterborough earlier in the season, as the worst performance that the Imps have put in during a local derby since he took over from Alan Buckley in 2002 and very few will disagree with him on that one, however, the Imps have only lost 1 of the last 10 games and confidence is high after last Saturday's confident win at Barnet.

Many City fans view this as the game that will decide how our season turns out. A win would mean that the Imps would have a great chance if finishing in the top 10, especially considering that 4 of our 5 opponents after Peterborough, are struggling against relegation.

City are definatly without Paul Mayo and Paul Morgan who are both ruled out because if injury and Keates is out via suspension, although whether he would have played anyway, or ever again for the Imps, is something up for debate. Jude Sterling could make his first start for the Imps but he'll be fighting it out against a returning Lee Beevers and Jeff Hughes for that 4th defensive spot.

Who I think will start (Right to left)

Marriott

Cryan   McAuley    McCombe   

S/Robinson     Kerr     

Yeo  M/Robinson   Green

They started their season with two 1-0 defeats on the trot, the first at home to Chester and the second away at Carlisle. However, 2 defeats were followed by 2 wins with a 3-2 win at Bristol Rovers, that was followed by a 2-0 win at home to Mansfield Town.

A defeat in thet Carling Cup was followed by a draw against Torquay and then another draw, 2 days later at fellow relegatees Stockport. Peterborough won their first local derby of the season with a 2-0 victory at Rushden and Diamonds before losing at home to Grimsby before they beat City 2-1 at Sincil Bank. However, the win at Sincil Bank was followed by 3 straight defeats, a 2-0 defeat at home to Shrewsbury, 2-1 away at Cheltenham and 1-0 away at Boston. 3 defeats in a row were followed by 3 wins in a row, 4-0 victory at Macclesfield, 2-1 against Bristol Rovers in the LDV and then a 3-1 home win over Rochdale.

After 3 defeats and 3 wins, came 4 draws, 1-1 against Wrexham, 2-2 at Wycombe, 0-0 against Burton in the FA Cup and 1-1 against Orient. However, Burton eliminated the Posh from the cup and this was followed by a second 1-1 draw against Wrexham. Furthur progression in the LDV came with a 2-1 win over Swindon. League form failed to improve with a 3-1 defeat at Chester, however a 2-0 win at home to Notts County was the first league win in over a month. A 1-1 draw with Carlisle was followed by 3-1 extra time defeat at Swansea, eliminating them from the LDV. 3 away games in a row, returned 4 points as a draw at Mansfield was followed by a defeat at Barnet but a win at Northampton. They thumped Bury 4-1 at London Road before winning their local derby against Rushden, 2-0. They drew their last home game and lost their last game at Darlington last week.