Lincoln City manager Gary Simpson has admitted he is pleased his side have reached 25 points, exactly half the number he is aiming for.
Speaking ahead of his team’s match with Forest Green, he explained that the team must reach their target of 50 points sooner rather than later.
Simpson added that the Imps have played several teams such as Barnet, Nuneaton and Cambridge at times when they have all been in form.
“I think at the minute there’s been an improvement in us. The start we had has had everyone’s expectations going through the roof a bit. We know what we’re trying to do. We have 25 points which is good,” he said.
Lincoln City returned to winning ways on Tuesday when they beat Southport courtesy of a Jon Nolan goal.
Simpson added: “It’s another clean sheet. We could have scored more goals with the opportunities we created but it was a good performance and a good win.
“Sharpie [Chris Sharp] worked hard. Wrighty [Nick Wright] came on and carried it on. We could have had three or four goals at the back stick. We want to try to score more goals in open play.”
Striker Sharp made his debut in the week after signing on loan from Hereford United and the Imps manager admitted he has been in need of attacking firepower due to injuries.
He said: “He’s a centre forward. He’s a fit boy. He’s not played a lot of football but he’s run the channels. I just thought we needed somebody else to give us a hand up there and he became available.
“Problem we’ve had in the forward areas, we’ve had to play midfielders in those areas because we haven’t had strikers to play.
With two away games in less than a week, the manager explained that his side are spending around 24 hours per week travelling.
After their match with Forest Green, the Imps travel to Home Park for their FA Cup replay against Plymouth Argyle next week.
Saturday’s opponents have just appointed Adrian Pennock to replace Dave Hockaday and Pennock will take charge of his first game against the Imps.
“It’s never a good time is it? Everyone’s going be trying to impress the new man. They’re always difficult games but we’re a match for anybody. We’ve got the joint second best defensive record in the league,” Simpson continued.
Nolan also spoke to the media ahead of the game and added: “I wasn’t expecting a start to be honest. They’re always encouraging me to get in the box. It’ll be a good thing for me to get in the box.”
Despite being below the Imps in the table, the Liverpool-born midfielder believes Forest Green can turn it around.
“They’ve got loads of money. To be fair things aren’t working out for them but I’m sure they’ll come good eventually.
“It happens everywhere when a new manager comes in. Everyone’s fighting for their positions and trying to impress and I definitely think they’ll come good.
Defender Dan Gray expressed his delight at getting the chance to play on Tuesday and added that Grant Brown had told him that the Imps had never lost with him in the side.
Last time they met at The New Lawn, the Imps were beaten 3-0 in front of the television cameras.
He said: “I think we’re solid at the back no matter who plays. I think we’ve got one of the best defences in the game. I think there was a bit of pressure last year but this year there isn’t any.”
The game kicks off at three o’clock at The New Lawn on Saturday, November 16th.