Sam_Parker
Contributor

Offline, last online: Sep 6 2008, 16:59 PM

Phew, what a day at Echo Towers.

I'm happy to report that, so far, reaction to Stefan Oakes' move to Sincil Bank on our forums has been entirely positive. Not only is Peter Jackson securing a player renowned for putting 50-yard passes on a six pence to team-mates, but I suspect the signing will signifcantly boost season ticket sales at the Bank.

Oakes arrives officially at the club after July 1 and, by then, I suspect one or two more may have joined him. The domino effect from the first signing of the summer - and what a signing, by the way - is that the vast bulk of supporters are sharing in a mass collective of optimism. Oakes does not score many goals, however, but those he does score tend to be a little bit special.

So, Jacko has got two for one. A great player and an Imps support that is salivating at the prospect of more names to add steel to the midfield. Already people are playing Championship Manager in relation to the Imps' midfield. Oakes on the left, or in the middle? It's great to have those options and increases competition in the side, which seems to have been the Jacko mantra since day one.

One player who may be switching positions next season is Owain Warlow. We spoke to him today (Monday) and the interview will be appearing later in the week. He certainly has some interesting views on his future at Lincoln but remains positive he can break back into the first team. Look out for that one.

Before I go, I can't leave without talking about the amazing Holland v Italy game.
Already some killjoys are putting a dampener by reminding us all that tournaments are not one by a single game but it's a match that will live long in the memory. What made the Dutch victory more impressive was that Italy did not come to defend, nor did they make their typical "slow start" to the tournament, a fact which is not reflected in the scoreline.
The world champions enjoyed moments of pure class and were denied more than once by Edwin Van Der Sar who, for my money, does not get the credit he deserves nowadays. A Premiership and European Cup-winning side cannot carry an average keeper and despite his advancing years he remains one of the world's elite.
Let's hope the rest of the tournament matches the high standards set by two beautiful passing teams.
I can't help but feel that Germany will win it, though.