Lincoln City manager Gary Simpson has urged his team to finish their campaign on a good note ahead of their match with Barnet.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, the Imps boss explained that his side have met his expectations of a mid-table finish.
His team could finish in the top ten of the Skrill Premier if they beat the Bees at home on Saturday and go into the game having beaten Cambridge and Wrexham over Easter.
“I think we’ve played pretty well to be honest as well as getting the right results. It would have been nice to get a few more goals which I think the performances deserved, but you can’t do anymore than win football matches and that’s what they’ve done,” he said.
Simpson was also full of praise for on-loan goalkeeper Nick Townsend, who upped his clean sheet tally over the Easter weekend by not conceding in either of their matches.
Going into the game on Saturday the Imps manager stressed that although there was nothing at stake in terms of relegation or promotion he would not weaken his starting eleven.
He added: “I think it’s right that we should put out our strongest team that’s available. We’ve got one or two knocks and one or two injuries and there’ll be one or two not available. There’ll be a couple of changes.”
Barnet were relegated from The Football League last season and were managed by Edgar Davids when the Imps last played them. However, Martin Allen has returned to manage Lincoln’s opponents for the fourth time and Simpson acknowledged the test he faces.
He continued: “One thing about Martin Allen’s sides is that they won’t lie down. I’ve said to my players that whatever you say about his sides they’ll have a go and keep going.
“They’re a decent team. We went down there and played well and [Jon] Nolan scored a goal late on which was thoroughly deserved. They’ve got some good players, but so have we and I think it’ll be a good game.
“[Allen] has got a hell of a lot of experience. I know him and he has got teams promoted and done well. He knows the Barnet chairman and was available, so why not [appoint him]? He’s an experienced manager who knows what he’s doing and it’ll be nice to see him.”
The Imps have no major injury worries going into the game, but will still probably be without goalkeeper Paul Farman who has only recently returned to training.
The game kicks off at 5.30 on Saturday, April 26th at the Gelder Group Sincil Bank Stadium.