Day 13

My groundsman asked for pitch size alterations. I declined to make any, since I still haven't figured out how this team best plays—or even will play while I search for the "best" strategy. A wider pitch suits a team with skilled wingers and attacking full backs, because it allows those players more space; by contrast, a narrow pitch fits with teams that play predominately through the middle, with powerful central midfielders and a traditional centre forward. Shorter pitches are better for possession-focused play-styles, while longer pitches fit a counter attacking, long ball approach.

I don't think I'll ever have enough tactical nous and foresight to know how I should change the pitch dimensions before a season starts—I'm more likely to adjust the team's style to fit the squad, then fine tune according to the pitch size (by, say, adding counter attack and faster tempo to a short passing style if the pitch is long).

*Puts on best Marvin the Martian voice* Ooooh, this makes me very angry.

I showed off my latest new signing, Matthew Barnes-Homer, to the press, and was rather put out by a question. "Do you agree that this signing is something of a coup for Lincoln, given the relative status of the player and of the club?" they asked.

No, I don't. And why would I? He's spent his career playing at this level, and Lincoln just dropped down to the fifth tier for only the second time in its history. Tell me how this could possibly be a coup!?

But that's not how I responded, because I had only five options—all of which are canned lines. I feel confined by the limitations of communication afforded to me. I hate press conferences. I don't know why I keep agreeing to them.

In other news, the board informed me that the club has sold 814 season tickets for the upcoming season. Our stadium has a 10,120 seat capacity. Something tells me that we won't be hosting a sell-out any time soon.

Then it was off to visit Gainsborough for another friendly match.

We very nearly went a goal down on 17 seconds. A poor effort by their striker was easily saved, but there's no doubt it was a clear-cut chance. In the third minute, new signing Rui Marques made them pay with a headed goal. We scored from another headed strike, this time from Christophe, in the 11th minute. Both goals came from Olembé corners.

And then the holes started to appear in Gainsborough's defence. Koroma furthered his cause for a contract with a composed finish for our third goal, then went close again on 35 minutes before scoring a brilliant individual effort just before half time.

We had a handful of chances in a laid-back second half, but failed to convert any until the 83rd minute, when Koroma popped up to complete his hat-trick. We won 5-nil. Koroma, Christophe, and Olembé were the standouts.

Gainsborough are weak opposition, but the result gave me some hope that we'll be competitive from day one of the league season.

After the match, my new scout Ian Gardner reported a whopping 35 potential signings to me. I looked at the highly recommended free agents, and offered contracts to veteran striker Pablo Couñago and young defender Samba Kanouté. Couñago was especially tough to get, since he's accustomed to playing three divisions above us. I also offered French goalkeeper Pierre-Antoine Martini a trial.

I really need to sell some players now. I'd love to offer Koroma a contract, too, but have to offload a striker or two first. I have six, not including wingers Laurent and Lloyd-McGoldrick or the incoming Couñago.

I sent word out that I was willing to sell Rodney and Smith at their market value, without transfer listing either of them, and made renewed efforts to get rid of Hutchinson, Taylor, and Pacquette.

It seems I had a long day.