Lincoln City assistant manager Grant Brown has insisted that his players aren’t dirty ahead of their match against Southport on Saturday.
Lincoln have racked up six red cards in just 21 games so far this campaign after Delano Sam-Yorke was dismissed during Lincoln’s 1-0 win over Dartford at the weekend, but Brown has defended his players by saying his players have to remain competitive at all times.
“My lads aren’t undisciplined, it’s just as these circumstances can happen in games, and we’ve sometimes fallen the wrong side of some harsh decisions.”
“We want to be competitive on the pitch, we don’t want the lads going out in to the games in fear of getting booked or getting sent off because you can compromise your performance.”
“I think the fans want to see that as well, they don’t want to see us pulling out of tackles, but we also want some common sense from the referees, because they’re not dirty fouls.”
“No complaints”
Despite defending some of his sides’ challenges that have warranted a dismissal this season, he had no complaints over the red card Sam-Yorke received, but insisted it’s not in his normal temperament to act like he did.
Brown: “I have no complaints about the sending off on Saturday. I think by his own admission he has raised his hands, albeit being a push rather than a punch but you can’t do that these days, you get sent off.”
“The style of play Delano has, he’ll take some kicks, he’ll take some whacks, and he gets up with a smile on his face 99.9% of the time, this time was one too many for him.”
“He apologised to the players after the game. He is a very calm and placid guy off the pitch, and most of the time on it but this occasion he’s let his emotions get the better of him, but he’ll learn from it.”
Talking about the game against Dartford on Saturday, Brown admitted he was relieved his side finally got the points to match their recent performances, and to claim that elusive clean sheet.
“It’s certainly overdue. It’s something we needed as a football club as well as a group of staff and players. Some of the performances have warranted three points, but we probably haven’t been at it for the full 90 minutes in games,” he said.
“I can’t say we played great because we probably didn’t, but we dug in which was really important, and got the goal at a good time.”
“To be honest I can’t remember the last time we kept a clean sheet, so it seems definitely a long time overdue. It’s important for our back four, as we have conceded too many goals.”
With the loan deadline ending today at 5pm, Grant Brown shed a bit of light on the three current players they have on trial, including Notts County striker Tyrell Waite.
Brown: “They’ll be back in with us today. They’ve done ok, but they’ve done better with each day. We know the loan window shuts today so we’ll see if there is any movement there.”
Looking ahead to the clash with Southport, there is no extra incentive for the Imps to get the three points, despite dropping two points earlier in the season after taking a 3-1 over the Merseyside club.
“We are expecting a tough game, they have a style of play which is good, they move the ball quickly, they get the ball up to the strikers, they play off there they get crosses in the box, they are dangerous off set pieces, so it’ll be a good, Conference game on Saturday hopefully.”
“I just want to win three points on Saturday. I don’t think it’s about settling scores.”
By Nick Lough