Day 28

I confirmed that Lincoln's captain this season will be John Nutter, while the club's vice captain is recent signing and former Angolan international Rui Marques. This is unchanged from my decision earlier in the pre-season period, when I stripped prima donna Josh Gowling of the vice captaincy.

Leicester youngster Pier Larrauri refused to join us on loan. I'm beginning to sense a pattern. It appears that players—even as young as 17-year-olds Larrauri and Fanimo—contracted to Championship clubs think they're too good for the Blue Square Bet Premier (aka Conference) League. They may not be far wrong. But it still hurts to be rejected.

Scout Mark Bradshaw handed in his report of Spaniard David Fernández, agreeing with Ian Gardner that he would be a great signing. I'd like to continue scouting the attacking midfielder before making a final decision. I'm still waiting to hear back from Fernández about the trial offer I sent him. In the meantime, I asked coach Grant Brown to give me a third opinion.