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Bibhash Dash

bibhash

Bibhash is a sports journalist with a passion for photography. He is currently doing a Masters in Sports Journalism at the University of Lincoln.

December 5, 2011 12.39 pm This story is over 148 months old

Imps manager Holdsworth is bringing in some changes ahead of the Luton match

Lincoln City on Monday announced Mitchell Nelson is to leave the club, just over two weeks after the defender was signed on loan.

Manager David Holdsworth also announced the imminent departure of striker Bradley Barraclough to Evo-Stick Northern Premier League side Buxton FC, while admitting a further two City players could be sent out on loan.

22-year-old Nelson was on his third loan spell from League One side AFC Bournemouth – his services were due to expire on December 18 – and was a regular feature in the City backline.

He last played for City in their 2-0 defeat at Wrexham last month, and will return to his parent club today, with no official reason given for his departure.

Holdsworth said: “This morning Bournemouth recalled (Nelson). We’d like to thank Bournemouth and we’d like to thank (manager) Lee Bradbury’s assistance because he did me a favour.

“But his loan spell ended today and I wish him and Bournemouth every success.”

City play Luton Town at Sincil Bank on Tuesday having lost their last two Blue Square Bet Premier games – 2-0 and 1-0 to York City and Newport County respectively.

Holdsworth is under no illusions about the task against the league’s promotion chasers Town, who lie sixth in the table and are unbeaten in eight out of 11 games at home.

He said: “Full credit to (Town boss) Gary Brabin. I know that the expectation levels there are very high, they’ve facilitated that in the type of players that they’ve got.

“They’ve got some very talented boys. It will be a very good game for us to play in and I’m looking forward to it.”

While there is good news that City have been drawn against Blue Square Bet North side Colwyn Bay in the FA Trophy, Holdsworth admitted the Imps were hurting after their 1-0 league defeat at Newport last Saturday.

The game was more memorable for the rain-lashed pitch, which made life difficult for both sides and ultimately caused a relatively harmless looking Newport free-kick in the first half to be bundled into the City goal.

The second half of that game was a different story as City dominated their opponents, but failed to find the killer touch in the final third of the pitch.

Holdsworth added: “The facts speak for themselves. We had far superior corners and possession.

“Going to Newport County and getting that takes some guts and some belief. We came off the pitch hurting. It was a close game but often such games are finalised by one slip and that’s what it came out to be.

“I felt we played well enough for a point at least, but it’s football and you have to respect it and look at the bigger picture.”

November 28, 2011 2.25 pm This story is over 149 months old

Lincoln City manager David Holdsworth is looking forward to a tough game with York

As the sporting world comes to terms with Wales manager Gary Speed’s demise, Lincoln City are sharing that pain on very real terms.

Manager David Holdsworth today revealed three of the club’s players are battling personal losses of their own, ahead of Tuesday’s Blue Square Bet Premier league game away to York City.

Speaking at Sincil Bank, he said: “It was a very tough week for three of my players. Two lost close relatives and one lost an immediate member of his family.

“They will get the club’s unconditional support. The boys have shown amazing character and the knowledge they have of me, is that they will get my support as a human being first and foremost.”

42-year-old Speed was found dead at his Chester home yesterday, and Holdsworth, who has played and managed against the former Leeds United star, admitted it was a “huge loss” for football.

He said: “Gary was a fantastic man and I’m sure the tributes will go on and be endless given the situation. On behalf of the club we can only pass on our sympathies to Gary’s family.

“He was a model professional and an all-round good human being.”

The upcoming game may well take an emotional backseat, but with last Saturday’s 3-0 win over Ebbsfleet United providing a timely boost to City’s climb up the safety ladder, Holdsworth is keen for the club’s on-field efforts to continue providing the goods.

18th-placed City face a York side that are 13 spots above them in the table and who are unbeaten in their last nine league games.

Holdsworth added: “We respect York of course. They are one of the high fliers in the league and will certainly be up there and thereabouts in the season.

“But we’ll go out there and put a side in that can compete, given the formation that we feel they’ll adopt. We’ve had a winning side and you don’t feel like changing that do you?”

Sam Smith and Jean-Francois Christophe will look to make the squad following their recent injuries.

Meanwhile regular skipper Josh Gowling’s return against Ebbsfleet – alebit minus the armband – means Holdsworth has a near full strength lineup to choose from.

He added: “The foundation of a good team is a good solid base, and I think (goalkeeper) Paul Farman had a really good game.

“In front of him was arguably the strongest defence in the league, but they can only prove that by going out there and being solid.

“At the moment, there doesn’t appear to be too many injuries, which is great. We can have a good day’s training and look forward to a tough game at York.”

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