Carling Cup Preview: Barnsley v Lincoln City

The Reds exited the Carling Cup at the first hurdle last season in a poor 2-0 loss to Crewe Alexandra at Gresty Road but this time they'll be looking to get by the first round by beating opposition from a lower division.

Lincoln City have spent most of their recent history in League 2 or Division 3 as was, but have reached the play offs no less than 5 times in the last 7 years failing each time to go the distance and win in the final.

The Imps chief executive however believes that the League 2 outfit can beat Barnsley on Tuesday night and progress into the second round.

Speaking to BBC Radio Lincolnshire, Roberts called Barnsley 'beatable' adding that 'they only just escaped relegation and they'll have players away on international duty.'

Roberts' is right in his comments. We all know too well that Barnsley are beatable, we did escape relegation on the final day of the season and we will be without Daniel Bogdanovic who is away on international duty with Malta but the Reds should be able to overcome their relatively local opposition, possibly handing debuts to O'Neil Thompson, David Preece and Onome Sodje who all looked more than capable to deputise for the regular first teamers in pre-season.

It will be their chance to stake a claim for a starting place on Saturday in the Reds' first game at Oakwell this season, at home to Coventry City, a fixture they have lost twice in the last two seasons by conceding four goals each time.

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