Lincoln City v Gillingham - Opposition Fan Preview - Written by Lewis Browning

Gillingham’s men take on Lincoln City this weekend and could end the day two points off the play-off places in League One. You can read our preview of the game here.

We spoke to Gary from Lincoln fan site ‘The Stacey West’ about his team’s campaign so far, how he views the game, and what he predicts for the rest of Lincoln’s season.


How’s your season been so far?

It’s been odd. For instance, if you offered us 15 points clear of the bottom three come February back in July, we’d have taken it all day long. However, circumstances dictate that some fans are not happy with recent developments.

Obviously, losing our management team in September was a big blow and the pain from that is still evident amongst some fans. Michael Appleton has come into a tough job; how do you possibly better the most successful management team in our club’s entire history?

He’s doing a good job - we were always going to lose games and we were always going to have tough patches. I think our form over Christmas made some think a top six assault might be on the cards; it’s not.

Three more wins and I think we’ll be 100% safe, and then, for the first time in three years, we can let the season die out, which will be an achievement in itself - even if the social media trolls don’t agree.

And your form going into the game?

Can I skip this question?

One point from eighteen isn’t good, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. We were, arguably, better than Rotherham a couple of weeks ago and should have been out of sight at half time, but lost; we then bagged three away at Accrington, but shot ourselves in the feet late on.

The last few weeks have been tough, but bad runs do end.

Who are your key players?

Right now, Liam Bridcutt has to be right up there. He’s proven himself to be a fine acquisition from the summer. Anthony Scully is another new arrival who looks utter class; he started his first game for us at Accrington and scored after two lively appearances from the bench. He’ll play a key role.

Jorge Grant is another player I really like at the minute. When we signed him, we got told he was a lightweight fair-weather player, but he’s been one of our most consistent performers over the last few months. Whether on the left or through the middle, he’s got a great delivery and that little bit of flair every side needs.

Any notable absentees? 

Only our best player this season, Joe Morrell. He’s accumulated ten yellow cards and missed the weekend’s fixture. He misses this week, too, and that’s a big blow to our midfield. He’s a full Welsh international on loan from Bristol City, and he’s brilliant. He came to us an U21 and will leave to play in the Euros, such has been his development.


Who do you reckon is Gillingham’s biggest threat?

Whoever your key player is, whatever the form has been, only one man will worry us: Big John.

He took a lot of stick from some of our fans and seemingly lacked the ability to step up to League One, but he will score this weekend, 100%. There have been rumours about his departure and how it came around, which have made him a bit of a villain.

My bet is he gets booed, scores, and celebrates in front of fans, who get very angry.

What do you expect from Steve Evans’ side on the day?

Evans has always put sides together that fight as a team, not as individuals. He actually does best when he’s got limited means to work with; he flopped with money at Mansfield and Posh, but succeeded at Rotherham and Boston.

We know him inside out - the man has been a villain at Sincil Bank for 15 years, and we love to hate him. Admit it, you did too before he joined you. It really pains me he’s doing well, if I’m honest. He does know how to make teams robust, angry and strong, though, even if perhaps a little dour at times.

How do you see the game going?

Niggly, nip and tuck stuff that few will call an advert for football. It depends on which Lincoln turn up; if the side that lost to Rotherham or turned over Posh and Ipswich turn up, we’ll delight fans. If young Scully keeps his form going and Arsenal boy Tyreece John-Jules realises you score by hitting the goal, not firing over it, we might make a decent game of it. If not, it’ll be a stale, aggressive and proper lower league tie.


A prediction, please.

This might sound odd, but, if you win the game it won’t be through your efforts, it’ll be through ours. We’ve shot ourselves in the feet time and again this season and handed games to sides that didn’t deserve them. We do owe you a performance though after being utterly woeful at yours.

You’re on a good run, we’re on a bad one; they’re usually the games that ruin accas across the land. In this instance, I’ll go 1-1. Big John for you, Anthony Scully for us. Be wary; the last time I did one of these I got the result bang on.

How do you see the rest of your season panning out?


Pick up a win at Tranmere and another at home to Wimbledon and we can stay suspended in the middle of nowhere, blissfully happy that non-achievement is a huge achievement in itself.

Gary and ‘The Stacey West’ can be found on Twitter through @Staceywestblog, or at staceywest.net.