By Jon Harries
Its with a very heavy heart that we say goodbye to the long serving member of the media team that is Jon Harries. Jon has been instrumental in the way the media team output and content has changed since the last AGM.
He is going to be missed but we know where you sit in the Stadium so we will continue to annoy you. Thank you so much for everything Jon and as mark of respect we now retire the article formerly known as Trash Talk.
Here we go for one last time then … Jon chatted to Gary from The Stacey West Podcast.
Are you content with Lincoln start to the season?
I’m content with Lincoln’s start to the season, but the next few weeks are crucial. Everyone had us down as strugglers before everything kicked off, so it was nice to get a few wins and sit ninth at one stage. However, winter has not been kind – we haven’t won in the league since November 19th, and we’ve struggled for goals recently. A decent cup run, and battling draws with Bolton and Ipswich were highlights, but we’ve been wildly inconsistent and it’s a concern.
Are you happy with what you have seen so far under your new manager? Yes, again I’m content. Mark Kennedy came into a tough environment, a squad that wasn’t as good as it should have been and key players like Bridcutt and McGrandles leaving. Kennedy is an honest head coach, he feels like he’s in it for the right reasons and at times we’ve looked really good under him, but without a win in six at the time of writing, his skills are being tested.
Which players do you expect to cause problems for the Dons on Saturday? Much depends on who is fit. I’d say Ben House, but he’s been out for a couple of games. Danny Mandroiu looks the part, and he bagged three in three in October before a spell out injured, he could be the difference. Something tells me Harry Boyes, loaned from Sheffied United, could have a big role to play as well. Sadly, someone needs to step up, because answering this question wasn’t particularly easy, and that’s not a great sign.
Are you happy with Lincoln transfer activity from the summer and which signings have impressed you the most so far? Again, I’ll say content. Paudie O’Connor at the back has been a big signing, he’s a rock and a rarity for us as a defender who looks like he’ll play 40+ matches. Only one of our centre backs managed that last season. As for the other signing, Matty Virtue has been superb, but he did his hamstring against Ipswich and is out for ten weeks, so he’s going to be missing. The issue with our transfer window was not over who we signed, but who we did not sign – there was no centre forward and it’s left us short. Again.
If you could have any Dons player, who would it be? I really don’t know, because on paper, there are plenty. Mo Eisa has always looked good against us and Louie Barry should be tearing up this division, but that’s not happening.
I think my biggest worry is us losing the midfield battle, so I’m going to go with Bradley Johnson. The game will be won and lost in the middle of the park, and Johnson is the man who can turn it for you.
Score prediction please I’m going to seem like such a defeatist, but I’m going 2-0 to MK Dons.
Prediction for Mk Dons for the rest of the season It’s really hard to say. On paper you look good and the change of management should help, but football doesn’t work like that. I’m going to say you survive as there are four worse teams than you I’m sure. My fear is we might be edging towards being one of them.
Thank you to Jon and Gary
