By Nathan Jackson
December 26 2010

2010 has been yet another frustrating year for the Imps, managerial changes, numerous losses and poor performances, but it all started with an FA Cup trip to Bolton Wanderers and winning the first two League games of the year.

The year started with three new faces arriving at Sincil Bank. Adam Watts joined permanently from Fulham after a loan spell, whereas City secured the services of Joe Anderson on a permanent basis from the Cottagers, with Michael Uwezu and Matt Saunders also arriving from the London based club. All three of the new signings would make their Lincoln debuts in an FA Cup game at Bolton Wanderers.

The game at the Reebok Stadium proved controversial off of the pitch, with Bolton’s ticketing policy and poor turnstile operations meant a large number of the 3,107 Lincoln fans that made the trip arrived in the stadium late. Despite a spirited showing, City were second best for all of the game and an own goal from Moses Swaibu started the rout with Chung-Yong Lee, Gary Cahill and Mark Davies also hitting the net for the hosts.

Chris Sutton ended the loan spells of Joe Heath, Anthony Pulis and Eric Lichaj from Nottingham Forest, Southampton and Aston Villa respectively, but Nathan Baker extended his loan spell from the latter, that despite his spell up until that point being injury filled and generally unimpressive. Infact, it was quite a busy few days with loanees as Delroy Facey and Chris Herd also extended their loan spells from Notts County and Aston Villa. Herd in particular had been very impressive during his loan spell and until late February, appeared to be the easy favourite for Player of the Season.

A home match against Accrington was postponed an rescheduled for February. This news was followed by more comings and goings as Sergio Torres returned to Peterborough following an injury obtained against Cheltenham two months earlier, whereas Clark Keltie (left) joined the Imps until the end of the season. Keltie travelled down to Barnet with the rest of the squad.

Following a heavy downpour, the game against Barnet was only confirmed as going ahead early in the morning and the Imps were certainly thankful that it was on. Cian Hughton gave the Imps the lead before an Albert Jarrett cross was headed in by Yakubu for the hosts. Barnet had led the table early on in the season but their fast decline was summed up when Lenell John-Lewis scored, his first goal in more than a year for the Imps and what would inevitably turn out to be his last.

Cian Hughton signed a new contract but whilst he was agreeing a longer stay at Sincil Bank, Janos Kovacs’ was coming to an end. He was made available for transfer before being released by the Imps, eventually linking up with Luton Town. Jamie Clarke would also find himself out of Sincil Bank pretty quickly, being released soon after asking to be placed on the transfer list.

City’s continuing improvement in terms of results continued with a third League win in a row, this time it was secured over Bradford City as first half goals from Chris Herd and Brian Gilmour gave the Imps a 2-0 lead. Michael Boulding pulled one back for the visitors but they couldn’t find an equaliser as City nudged closer to safety.

A second game within a few days saw the Imps make their first ever trip to the Pirelli Stadium of Burton Albion. Former Scunthorpe man Cleveland Taylor scored within the first minute to secure the points for Burton, although City certainly had more than enough chances to get something form the game. The final game of January against Dagenham was postponed due to a frozen pitch.

City ended January having 28 points from 25 games, however, the two wins during the month meant a vital nine point game over the relegation zone.

A Year in Review : January 2010

Discussion started by theimps.ka (IP Logged), 26/12/2010 23:20

theimps.ka
26/12/2010 23:20

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