Tilson managed Southend to victory over Lincoln in the 2005 play-off final

By Michael Hortin BBC Lincolnshire sports editor

Talking to Lincoln City's directors, it might not seem much of a statement to say new boss Steve Tilson is the man they wanted, but in truth it is.

On reflection the Imps' board feel they have been much more proactive in their recruitment of a manager this time.

In the past they believe they have been a little guilty of just relying on those who have bothered to send in their CV for the job.

This time, whilst they have still looked at and interviewed candidates through that process, they have also drawn up a list of potential managers they are interested in and actively gone out to talk to them about the job.

So what have they been looking for from the new manager? Had I been in their place, I should look at the Imps' most successful managers in recent history - Graham Taylor, Colin Murphy, Keith Alexander and John Beck - and the common threads that linked them:

1. They could spot a player, often at a lower level, and bring them to the club where they would perform.

2. They were able to mould the players into a team that was more than the sum of its parts.

3. They could connect with people at the club, the city and the broader county.

The big issue Steve Tilson needs to address is the way the management and team related to the fans BBC Lincolnshire sports editor Michael Hortin

If you look at the success that Tilson has had with Southend, he and his assistant Paul Brush tick the boxes with the first two. Only time will tell if the third is something he can do as well.

The only other reservation some may have is whether he will settle work-wise away from his native Essex.

Save for two games for Brentford, Tilson's entire football career is in Essex with Witham United, Southend United and Canvey Island.

Some may see this as a major problem but I do not. Many people manage clubs nowhere near their home base and do perfectly well, so hopefully this will not prove to be a problem.

Other than the obvious, the team on the pitch, the big issue Tilson needs to address is how the management and team related to the fans.

As charming and good company as Chris Sutton was on a one-to-one level, he did not build a good relationship with City supporters, something Tilson can hope to address by making sure players have a presence in Lincoln other than on the pitch.

But while Sutton may not have been entirely accurate in his assessment that the club "had done very little in 100 years", he was was absolutely right in his broader point that Lincoln City have had very little success in recent seasons.

Hopefully Tilson can put this right and bring back the heady days of promotion and play-off campaigns.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version