THE MANAGER: DAVID HOLDSWORTH
Probably the most controversial pick of mine for this entire piece. David Holdsworth was the club’s worst manager in a decade which Chris Sutton and Steve Tilson took the hotseat. But hear me out. Holdsworth turned this football club into an absolute joke during his time in charge. The amount of players that came through the door during his small time in charge was laughable, he essentially brought in all of the players that couldn’t get into his own Mansfield Town side. Under Holdsworth we made no progression on the pitch and took several steps backwards off it. The club and the city grew further apart which ended up with Holdsworth being replaced with Gary Simpson.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Elliott Parish, Drewe Broughton, Simon Russell, Richard Paquette, Craig Hobson, Gomez Dali, Robert Duffy, Elliot Hodge, Karl Ledsham, Sahr Kabba, Tyrell Waite and Kris Bright.
Completely disagree with Holdsworth. He was handed an horrendous task. And he did what was needed in clearing people out. However it cannot be overlooked what he did nearly taking us down. But Tilson is far far worse for me.
Elliot Parish has to be the worst keeper. Not all his fault, he was young and inexperienced, but we had Joe Anyon sat on the bench watching him. Tilson didn’t fancy Anyon until he found out that he was a decent keeper the following season.
Can’t believe you’ve chosen Reg Holdsworth. He was a country mile better than Tilson (who must be up there with Allan Clarke as our worst ever manager) and, as Gary has regularly stated, did his best to keep the club going during some desperate times. The rest I can’t really argue with although I think you’re being a bit unfair on Nicky Nicalau who always gave 100% in an Imps shirt. Looking back it seems we have been blessed with some excellent full backs so I’d have to give it to Sean Newton based on his attitude alone.
Sorry but this team is massively weighted towards short term punts taken by managers who had no real cash to work with. Our real worst XI would be the overpaid lazy wasters who took us down in 2011 – plus Bradley Wood for souring some of the most glorious moments in our history.
Re Tony Diagne, information elsewhere indicates that after leaving City for a spell with Macclesfield he
played for Hemel Hempstead and then Barrow who he was with during the 2017/18 season. Can’t find anything after that date.
Tilson. Absolutely no doubt at all.