By Nathan Jackson
January 14 2005

The Imps face Bristol Rovers who haven't won away since the 3rd week of the season. Normally I would say it'd be an easy home win but with the Imps playing the worst football seen for a LONG time at Sincil Bank, maybe Rovers will pick up their 3rd away victory of the season.

INTRODUCTION

Ahh, what a crappy Christmas that was for the Imps, granted 2 wins out of 4 games with 7 points to show for it but it was bloody awful football for the Imps to be playing and those 2 wins were very fortunate indeed. Now the injury hit Imps face another injury hit side who haven't won away since August (until tomorrow that is), Bristol Rovers.

 

+TEAM NEWS FOR THE IMPS

Oh dear, well the Imps are struggling with injuries, Futcher is out for 10 weeks with a facial injury, Yeo is also out for sometime with yet another facial injury and Gainy could still be out for the rest of the season. However, Futcher's injury could see the return of Gareth McAuley who has just returned from injury. Michael Blackwood could also make a start for the first time since August after returning from injury against KIdderminster last weekend.

Marriott

Bloomer  Morgan  McCombe  McAuley  Blackwood

Butcher  Toner

GTF  Richardson Green

BRISTOL ROVERS

They been on the road 13 times since their last away victory. The Gas won 4 of their first 5 games sending them top of the table, however, since then, they've only won 4 league games. They won their first two away games at Mansfield and Darlington but have since lost at Orient, Northampton, Cambridge, Swansea, Wycombe and Shrewsbury. Manager Ian Atkins has several players suspended or injured and his team will resemble more of a squad he'd send out for a reserves game than a league game.

 

PREVIOUS RESULTS AGAINST BRISTOL ROVERS

Rovers got relegated to this Division for the 2001/2 season. Since then, both teams have gained 3 points from the 2 games. In 2001/2, Rovers won at Sincil Bank but City won one of their only 2 away wins that season at the Memorial Stadium. 2002/3 saw the Imps lose 2-0 at Bristol Rovers thanks to a Futcher own goal and a Grazioli penalty, however, the Imps won the game at Sincil Bank 2-1 with goals coming from Danny Webb and Ben Futcher.

Last season City comfortably won 3-1 at Sincil Bank where a Wayne Carlisle goal was no-where near enough to match the Imps who scored through Yeo, Futcher and GTF. However, Rovers got their revenge winning 3-1 at the memorial stadium. Paul Tait scored twice and Lee Thorpe secured the win for Rovers after Futcher yet again scored in this fixture.

There were no goals in the game this season meaning that for the first time since they were relegated, the points were shared so who knows what'll come out of this game.