Imps face the leaders


By Nathan Jackson
October 23 2003

On Saturday, the Imps go to a ground where they hold a 100% record (although we've only played one game there) but will go against the only team in the division, with the only longer unbeaten run than Lincoln.

  • On Saturday, City face the biggest test of the season so far and this game will probably go along way to deciding a lot of factors. If Lincoln win, we could go 4th if results go our way. If Hull win, they could extend their lead at the top to 5 points.
  • TEAM NEWS FOR THE IMPS
  • The Imps will be without 2 key defenders for the game at the KC Stadium. Mark Bailey will be out until just before Christmas after a hernia operation. Ben Futcher is also out for picking up 5 yellow cards this season. Given Keith's predictable team selections, it is likely that Richard Liburd will go into the right back posistion whilst ex-Hull player Matthew Bloomer will fit into the middle.
  • If it does go that like, then the Bloomer addition will be the only change to the Imps side since Tuesday's late win against Macclesfield. The side however, will look totally different to last week's game against Huddersfield in the fact that 3 players from that game will not be able to play. Other than the two afformentioned players, Marcus Richardson returned to Hartlepool last week to cover a supposed injury crisis up front, an injury crisis which still left 5 strikers fit.
  • HULL
  • Hull have been a team over the years that have been hyped as pre-season favourites only to find themselves in mid-table mediocrity over the past few seasons. However, this season, they finally seem to have gotten it right. Infact, they have lost only once this season in the league and that was away at Oxford. They currently sit top of the table although, given recent match reports and comments from the fans of Hull, they seem to have hit a very patchy spot.
  • Last week they played Torquay at Plainmoor and every source says that Hull were incredibly lucky to get a point. The same could be said for Tuesday night when they drew 0-0 at Bury. So have the Imps got the chance to become the first team this season, to win at the KC Stadium?
  • THE CHANCES OF AN IMPS WIN
  • It all depends on the City defence, recently, they had looked very ridged and it has been almost a month since the last clean sheet. However, the Imps remain as the only club in the division, to have beaten Hull at the KC Stadium and only one of 2 teams to have won their overall. Last season, the Imps became the first ever team to win at the KC when a 63rd minute penalty from Stuart Bimson gave the Imps a 1-0 win and even had some fans calling for manager Peter Taylor's head.
  • Many feel that Hull have dominated their home games, but this can only be true for two of the games looking at the scorelines. They have beaten Kidderminster 6-1 and Darlington 4-1. However, looking at some of the other results and where the teams are in the table, you would start to ask questions. All the teams that are down the bottom have gone to Hull already but all have only lost by a single goal (with the exception of Kidderminster and Cheltenham). They beat Southend 3-2 thanks to a last minute penalty save, Carlisle 2-1 despite reports that Carlisle were by far the better side, Boston United 2-1.
  • The crowd could also play a major part in this game. In recent years, I have heard reports saying the Hull fans are the loudest fans in the division, yet everytime Lincoln go, the volume seems to be turned down to mute.
  • THE IMPS RECORD AGAINST HULL
  • The Imps hold an excellent recent record against Hull. Infact, Hull's last victory against Lincoln was on boxing day in 1996. In the seasons, 1997/8, 1999/2000, 2000/1, 2001/2 and 2002/3, the Imps have taken 4 points off Hull.
  • LAST 5 RESULTS AGAINST HULL
  • HULL 0 CITY 1
  • CITY 1 HULL 1
  • HULL 1 CITY 1
  • CITY 2 HULL 1
  • CITY 2 HULL 0
  • PREDICTIONS
  • With both teams on a roll, I would normally predict a bore draw but seeing as City's attack seems to be doing their job (at last) but the defence seems incredibly leaky recently and with the absence of 2 key players, I'm tempted to go for a 2-2 scoreline although, I feel that if the team plays like they did on Tuesday night, I get a feeling that Hull will finally break their "duck" against the Imps