Lincoln City will aim to achieve their first three points of the season when they host Torquay United at Sincil Bank on Saturday, 14th August.
Imps fans haven’t had much to cheer about so far this season, with defeats away to Rotherham and Leeds respectively. Before the new league season began manager Chris Sutton had already warned fans not to expect a win-after-win start, understanding the tough tests his team are subject to in the opening fixtures.
Yet following his summer cries of progress, re-emphasising how much of a better situation Lincoln are now in, the City boss has once again called for realism.
The former Chelsea striker said: “We have to be realistic, it’s been a tough start for us as I’ve said, and three out of the first four are away.
“Rotherham and Torquay are going to be up there for automatic promotion so it’s never going to be easy for us. Having said that we didn’t get what we deserved on Saturday [against Rotherham] but over the course of the season, hopefully, we’ll have performances where we don’t play well and then nick a result.
“That did happen a few times last season, it has to be said so overall I’m not sitting in a position where I’m overly worried at the moment. I think as of last season I was far more concerned and as things pan out I do think we’ve got players here who are capable of putting a real good run together.”
City face a Gulls side that opened their account in blistering fashion, beating Northampton 3-0 at home. Torquay manager Paul Buckle then watched his team put up a strong fight against Championship outfit Reading in the Carling Cup, losing 1-0 eventually after extra-time.
The City boss realises the threat the league leaders pose, especially in attackers Elliot Benyon and Chris Zebroski as they have already scored this season.
“Benyon’s quite clever in that he’ll look to run in behind the defence and Zebroski’s a very powerful player. I think he’ll play wide right but, you have to deal with that, it’s what the players are paid for, that’s why they’re here. We have to be well organised, read the game well and hopefully we’ll be alright.
“But as I say most of the games are going to be frenetic, [and] are going to be similar in the way they’re played in League Two this season.
“We have to be able to cope with the physical element which in fairness we did ok last Saturday, we didn’t cope as well on Tuesday. If we cope with that I think eventually we’ll get breaks going our way and our players will be good enough to cause teams problems.”
One player who is relishing the occasion on Saturday is former Torquay winger Mustapha Carayol, who signed a two-year deal with Lincoln in the summer. The Gambian-born winger says he hasn’t looked forward to a game as much as this ever in his career.
“The first thing you look at when the fixtures come out is when you’re going to be playing your old team. I’ve spoken to a few of the boys there and they’re looking forward to it as well, so it’ll be nice to see them and hopefully get a win.
“I’ve kept in touch with everyone. I think I left the club not on bad terms with anyone; I tried to leave it as good as I could and I still speak to all of the players. I was on the phone to the captain last night so everything’s fine.”
The Linc’s prediction: Imps 0-2 Torquay