Rams v Lincoln City - Cup Preview

Rams v Lincoln City - Cup Preview
Carling Cup first Round
Pride Park
Tuesday 12th August 2008
Kick off 7.45pm

After Saturday`s opening day league defeat against Doncaster Rovers the Rams entertain League two side Lincoln City in the first round of the Carling Cup at Pride Park on Tuesday evening (7.45pm)

The last time we played the Imps was in 2004 at Sincil Bank, at the same stage of the league cup and after taking a lead in the 27th minutes when Inigo Idiakez scored one of his stunning free kicks, the home side levelled from the penalty spot on 77th minute through Gary Taylor-Fletcher.

Then two minutes later the Rams were behind when Simon Yeo scored and the tie was put to rest in injury time when Jamie McCombe scored and by this time the 1,500 Rams fans had already headed for the exit.

Teams that night -
Lincoln City: GK Marriott; Weaver (Green 71), McAuley, Futcher; Bloomer, Butcher, Gain (Peat 75), Blackwood; Taylor-Fletcher, McCombe, Yeo. Unused subs: Toner, Littlejohn, Pearson

Rams: GK Camp; Jackson (Kenna 45), Huddlestone, Johnson (c), Vincent; Holmes, (Taylor66), Bolder (Junior 80), Idiakez, Reich; Peschisolido, Tudgay. Unused subs: Grant, Doyle

Referee: Mr Keith Hill
Attendance: 4,982

Against the Rovers Rams striker Rob Hulse hit the post and missed a sitter that left Paul Jewell still waiting for his first league win with the club.

Jewell says he is confident his side will return to form despite losing their first match back in the Championship. Jewell told BBC Radio Derby: 'We have to do better, I'm fully aware of that and I know we will do.

'I've got confidence in mine and my staff's ability to get it right. We've had one game - there are 45 left.'

Jewell added: 'You can afford to almost drop 40 points in this league and still get promoted but I'm aware that we need results.'

In team news the Rams are sweating on the fitness of skipper Alan Stubbs ahead of the cup clash, a knee injury forced Stubbs to limp out of Saturday's defeat midway through the second half, and Jewell will not want to take any risks with the 36-year-old.

'It was a blow to lose Stubbsy and we conceded a goal against Doncaster just after he went off. It was a bad goal to give away. He is feeling his knee and we will have to see how he is," said Jewell.

Defender Lewin Nyatanga is out with a knee injury and Dean Leacock, who did not figure in the 16 against Doncaster, could come in if Stubbs is sidelined. Another centre-back, Jamaican international Claude Davis, is back in full training after his own knee problems.

The Red Imps also lost their opening day League two clash at Rotherham United on Saturday and their manager Peter Jackson blamed missed chances for his side's 1-0 defeat.

Jackson said after the loss: 'I thought we'd come here and win the game so I'm disappointed to come away with a loss.
'We had some really good chances but didn't take them.

'Second half we put them under pressure and there was only one team that were going to score, which was us, but we didn't take our chances. If you don't take your chances you don't get any points.'

Red Imps Team v Rotherham - GK Burch, Beevers, Brown, Kovacs, Green, Oakes, Kerr, John-Lewis, Wright, King, Gall - Subs: Duffy, Hone, Frecklington, Graham, N'Guessan

Tickets for the first-round tie are currently on general sale to Rams fans.
If you're a season ticket holder it's only £10 for adults and just £5 for seniors and juniors, while for non-season ticket holders the prices are £12 for adults and £6 for seniors and juniors.

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