by BBC Lincolnshire sports producer Michael Hortin

Sutton is the first Imps boss in 11 years to reach the FA Cup third round

If you look at the league table on the day Chris Sutton took over at Lincoln City and compare it to now you might find yourself asking whether things have really improved at Sincil Bank?

When the new boss took over, City were 22nd as they are now. However that alone does not reflect the change that has happened over the last few months.

While many of us liked Peter Jackson, the painful truth was the team at the start of the season was going nowhere pretty fast.

Away at Dagenham & Redbridge, Jackson's last league game as manager, the Imps were completely outplayed and seemed unable to both defend or threaten in attack.

In stark terms they really did look like a team heading for the Football League trapdoor at an alarming rate.

If that performance was not enough defeat at rock bottom Darlington, in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, a few days later provided further proof of the need for change.

Upon taking over Chris Sutton went back to basics and targeted the Imps defence first.

So far this campaign Lincoln have scored just 15 goals in the league two less than Lee Hughes has managed on his own for Notts County Michael Hortin

Stats suggest that he has had a positive impact on that, as when the former Blackburn striker took over Lincoln were conceding more than a goal and a half a game now that stands at a little over one a game under Sutton's tenure.

City also, now, look a fitter and much more organised team and with a raft of ex-Premier League academy players in their ranks they are happier and more patient in possession.

But the trouble is that patience and possession doesn't get you points, goals do and that is the area the Imps must do better.

So far this campaign Lincoln have scored just 15 goals in the league, two less than Lee Hughes has managed on his own for Notts County.

A friend of mine phoned me up after the recent win against Chesterfield and said I got too excited when City scored.

My indignant answer was after the goal-shy season I have witnessed I did well to stay so calm with two goals in the blink of an eye.

On-loan striker Delroy Facey has given some cause for hope in the Chesterfield match that he may at least help the Imps to score more regularly in the remainder this season.

Although most Imps fans are of the view that if the club can move on some of the unwanted players then a striker or two extra is badly needed at Sincil Bank

However, as Chris Sutton has been at pains to point out creating and scoring goals is the responsibility of the whole team not just the strikers.

Nathan Baker and Eric Lichaj are the Imps' Premier League youngster

So with around half a season still to go are Lincoln City still looking like relegation waiting to happen?

Well they are certainly not out of the woods as the league position suggests, but they do look more capable now of moving in the right direction in the table than when the club changed manager.

Often in his post match interview on BBC Lincolnshire Chris Sutton will say to me "We are what we are…"

And for me that is an improving team that should have enough to avoid relegation.

My heart and those of Imps fans may yearn for that sooner, but it will take time and many more highs and lows before that is secured.

If that is done that will be a pretty good achievement by Chris Sutton early in his managerial career.

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