Lincolnshire Echo: Imps look to get back on track
Lincoln City have the chance to get their play-off bid back on track over the next fortnight, when they face home games against Mansfield Town, on Saturday, and relegation-threatened Bury, the following weekend.
"There are six games left to play and I believe it will go down to the wire," said defender Jeff Hughes.
"But we can give ourselves a great start by taking six points from our next two home games.
"It's a must really - if we start to drop points now, we can forget about making the play-offs.
"We don't want to come all this way and then not make the top seven - it would be a disaster.
"The lads will have to make up for the disappointment of Darlington by going out all guns blazing at Sincil Bank on Saturday.
"It will be a tough game, but if we can beat Mansfield it will set us up nicely for the game against Bury.
"All the lads are determined not to let this season fall away now."
Following the Stags game on Saturday, Hughes will immediately link up with the Northern Ireland Under-21 squad, who travel to Liechtenstein for a Euro 2007 qualifier next Wednesday.
Hughes is hopeful of picking up his fourth cap.
"It will be an experience and I am hoping I will play some part in the game," said Hughes.
"I'm looking forward to it. Playing for your country, at whatever level, is an honour.
"The only thing I have got to be careful of is not overdoing it.
"Having just come back from injury, I don't want any more setbacks."
City manager Alexander will also be hoping Hughes returns unscathed after seeing his performance against the Quakers on Saturday.
"Jeff had to come in and play even though he hasn't done much training - and he showed some good quality," said Alexander.
"It's great to have him up and running about again."
----------------------
Mansfield CHAD: STAGS - Shirtliff waits on injured four
|
Lincoln City have the chance to get their play-off bid back on track over the next fortnight, when they face home games against Mansfield Town, on Saturday, and relegation-threatened Bury, the following weekend.
"There are six games left to play and I believe it will go down to the wire," said defender Jeff Hughes.
"But we can give ourselves a great start by taking six points from our next two home games.
"It's a must really - if we start to drop points now, we can forget about making the play-offs.
"We don't want to come all this way and then not make the top seven - it would be a disaster.
"The lads will have to make up for the disappointment of Darlington by going out all guns blazing at Sincil Bank on Saturday.
"It will be a tough game, but if we can beat Mansfield it will set us up nicely for the game against Bury.
"All the lads are determined not to let this season fall away now."
Following the Stags game on Saturday, Hughes will immediately link up with the Northern Ireland Under-21 squad, who travel to Liechtenstein for a Euro 2007 qualifier next Wednesday.
Hughes is hopeful of picking up his fourth cap.
"It will be an experience and I am hoping I will play some part in the game," said Hughes.
"I'm looking forward to it. Playing for your country, at whatever level, is an honour.
"The only thing I have got to be careful of is not overdoing it.
"Having just come back from injury, I don't want any more setbacks."
City manager Alexander will also be hoping Hughes returns unscathed after seeing his performance against the Quakers on Saturday.
"Jeff had to come in and play even though he hasn't done much training - and he showed some good quality," said Alexander.
"It's great to have him up and running about again."
----------------------
Mansfield CHAD: STAGS - Shirtliff waits on injured four
|
PETER Shirtliff is hopeful he will have four injured players back in his squad as Stags seek to end their recent poor results against Lincoln City at Sincil Bank this Saturday (3pm).
And the Mansfield Town boss has said he believes his side need to win five of their last six games to stand a chance of making the end-of-season Play-offs.
Rhys Day, Gareth Jelleyman, Simon Brown and Allan Russell are all on the mend.
Day (dead leg) and Russell (recovering from broken toe) both played in the midweek reserve friendly win at Derby County's training ground and look almost certain to make the squad.
Brown has done a little work this week after aggravating his hernia while Jelleyman is still resting up his knee injury. But it is hoped both will be able to train properly tomorrow and then face fitness tests with Brown having the better chance.
Stags have not beaten 'neighbours' Lincoln since 12th February 2002, drawing two and losing three of their clashes since then.
The Imps' direct, physical game seems to have been the deciding factor in most of those results.
But five points off the Play-offs with only six games left, Shirtliff said; "It is a tall order to make the Play-offs now, but it's not without possibility.
"Saturday is pretty much a must-win with five points to make up and one of the sides above us having a game in hand on us.
"We need to win at least five of the last six games.
"We know how tough it will be at Lincoln But we have only lost once in the last 10 and won three out the last four so we are going there in a positive frame of mind.
"We will be going there for a win as we do in every game.
"I hope the lads will go out there and play their football without getting too uptight about situations.
"Our away record is something we need to address, particularly in terms of goals conceded."
------------------------------
Full match reaction from Lincoln in next weeks CHAD & www.mansfieldtoday.co.uk
Rhys Day, Gareth Jelleyman, Simon Brown and Allan Russell are all on the mend.
Day (dead leg) and Russell (recovering from broken toe) both played in the midweek reserve friendly win at Derby County's training ground and look almost certain to make the squad.
Brown has done a little work this week after aggravating his hernia while Jelleyman is still resting up his knee injury. But it is hoped both will be able to train properly tomorrow and then face fitness tests with Brown having the better chance.
Stags have not beaten 'neighbours' Lincoln since 12th February 2002, drawing two and losing three of their clashes since then.
The Imps' direct, physical game seems to have been the deciding factor in most of those results.
But five points off the Play-offs with only six games left, Shirtliff said; "It is a tall order to make the Play-offs now, but it's not without possibility.
"Saturday is pretty much a must-win with five points to make up and one of the sides above us having a game in hand on us.
"We need to win at least five of the last six games.
"We know how tough it will be at Lincoln But we have only lost once in the last 10 and won three out the last four so we are going there in a positive frame of mind.
"We will be going there for a win as we do in every game.
"I hope the lads will go out there and play their football without getting too uptight about situations.
"Our away record is something we need to address, particularly in terms of goals conceded."
------------------------------
Full match reaction from Lincoln in next weeks CHAD & www.mansfieldtoday.co.uk