The Football League Paper

HARRY: WINS WILL STOP THE CRITICS

- By Max Chesterton

LINCOLN defender Harry Toffolo has told his teammates to rise above the abuse they’ve received on social media after being held to a string of league draws.

The Imps are winless from their last five League Two clashes and frustratio­n started to emerge online following last Tuesday’s draw with Oldham after the Imps couldn’t seal the win against ten men.

But the former Norwich full-back believes that swathe of criticism is nothing more than a result of Lincoln’s terrific early-season form that led them to top spot.

“A lot of footballer­s stay off it because you know you feel worse after seeing the worse stuff than the good bits,” he said.

“It’s part of football and if you put yourself in the limelight of social media, you have to take it and you have to be able to give it back.

“The hard work we’ve put in as a group – the managers and all the way up to (chief executive) Liam Scully as well – we have created something very special.

“When you have got that expectatio­n on you, you need to win games. We know that and we are working very hard towards that.

“Win lose or draw, we are still working hard, but we have created that expectatio­n and we have to live up to that if we want to achieve something special this season.”

The 23-year-old reckons the best way to silence the online critics is for he and his teammates to make their mark on the pitch.

“It’s part and parcel of the job – it’s what we do,” he said.

“It’s a free world and everyone can have their say on whatever they want but for us, we have to be mentally strong and take the good with the good and the bad with the bad.”

 ??  ?? MESSAGE: Lincoln City defender Harry Toffolo, right
MESSAGE: Lincoln City defender Harry Toffolo, right

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