Lincoln City are in fine fettle financially, says Gary Hutchinson, but can they cash in on the field this year...
Imps in rude health, but home form's a big concern
With Peter Jackson stamping his mark on Lincoln, Gary Hutchison hopes they can find some form to match their finances...
As the new season begins to dawn over Sincil Bank the feelings of invincibility and optimism enveloping us 12 months ago have been replaced by hope and pessimism.
Peter Jackson's war with departed striker Adrian Patulea has left many fans questioning the managers judgement and has left a gaping hole to be filled up front. Equally the departures of Dany N'Guessan, Lee Beevers and Lee Frecklington have driven many fans to panic before a ball has been kicked.
They should be saving their fear for a more suitable day. In came ex-Manchester Utd trainee Chris Fagan, very much in the Patulea mould but perhaps with an attitude more suited to Lincoln City.
Talented
In came powerful striker Rene Howe on loan from Peterborough, and pacy wide man Jamie Clarke from Blackburn. The icing on the promotion seeking cake however was the return of the prodigal son, the talented and free scoring central midfielder Richard Butcher.
Butch may as well have red and white blood to eclipse the love he's shown the club over the years, and his return can boost the club like nothing else.
So where can the Imps end the season? It depends of course how the new boys gel and how the manager puts a season of self-admitted disappointment behind him. Last year we failed to win for over 250 days at Sincil Bank and any fan with eyes and ears knows that's not good enough.
Our home wasn't so much a fortress for away fans as a chocolate fireguard that melted under the heat of a big occasion. Countless times teams came to us on a plate and ended up making us the main course.
Morale
So the formula is simple. Keep the away form the same, but start winning games at home. Patulea was top scorer with 11 last season, and as much as fans loved him contributed very little else. His disruptive influence didn't help morale, nor did the demands of certain other key players.
The squad now has Peter Jackson's own stamp on it, perhaps more suited to his style of football. If the goals start going in then there is no reason why we cannot see ourselves troubling the top seven after a two year hiatus.
Off the field however is where the big strengths of our football club lie. While all around us fall apart and clubs go into administration on a yearly basis, we seem to be a shining beacon to everyone. Various sell-on clauses and bonuses have come to fruition allowing us to plug the gap left by dwindling recession-hit attendances.
Careful negotiating of current contracts may have ensured a long term future for the club, specifically Scott Loach at Watford. He was linked with a seven-figure move to Spurs this summer and such a deal would net the Imps somewhere close to a cool million.
So while everyone focuses on league positions, let us just remember that there are two competitions each year now, one to finish in the top seven and another to finish with some money in the bank. This season City might just manage both.
Will City cash in on the field at last? Can they get the goals to fire them to the promotion? Join in the FanZone debate by filling in the feedback form below...
