Day 3

I let my Assistant Manager pick the team, then did my best to alter the tactics to fit the lineup and the strengths/weaknesses I've been able to gauge from coach reports and player attributes.

I noticed that only an "average" workload was being put in to match preparation, while the team had poor familiarity with the starting tactic. I rectified this immediately, switching the workload to "very high" and setting the "additional focus area" to teamwork. Hopefully this will get the lads used to working together in a typical 4-4-2 lineup before the season starts.

Then it was off to watch the Lincoln first team face off against the combined forces of the Reserves and Under 18s (the Reserve squad is too small to fill out an entire 11-man starting lineup).

I told the boys to impress me, and sent them out to play.

The first twenty minutes (this is accelerated time, since I'm playing on "key highlights" mode) were woeful. Both teams looked terrible and lacking in confidence, but my boys especially so, and we conceded in the twelfth minute.

Then, 22 minutes into the match, Nialle Rodney scored with a cracker of a strike from 25 yards out. The match sprang into life. We scored twice more before half time, with one of those goals being an embarrassing own goal. But still the football was poor quality.

I like good football, with fast movement and slick passing. If this squad can't pull it off, I'll really have my work cut out.

We scored three more times in the second half—thanks to great wing play from substitute Simon Russell and star man John Nutter—and conceded a bizarre goal—a mishit cross that the keeper really should have saved. Rodney picked up man of the match, with two goals and an assist. We won 6-2.

I walked away pleased that we came out comfortable winners and created a number of chances. But I'm concerned that, for most of the game, we played like crap (although I told the lads they did well, to boost their confidence). I have my fingers crossed that it's just a matter of practice, rather than personnel.

I transfer listed three players who I don't think are good enough: Jake Sheridan, Tyrone Thompson, and Jamie Taylor. If they sell, even for nothing (releasing them would cost money, but you can "sell" for zero pounds), that'll free up some more funds for new players. I can't believe that all three are actually new signings from the previous manager (and they're understandably pissed about the change in circumstances). What was he thinking?

Just before bed, our first trialist arrived: 40 year old Congolese left back Jules Tchimbakala.