Not only is Simon Yeo enjoying his best-ever season in the Football League – but he has also won the PFA Fans' Player of the Month Award for February. The 31-year-old striker is the latest recipient of the prestigious award and it is some recognition of the dynamite season he is having in front of goal. Yeo has already bagged 20 goals and will be hoping for a few more yet, as both he and Lincoln try to make it third time lucky. For the last two seasons – Yeo's first two in league football – the Imps have been denied promotion via the heartbreak of the play-offs and they are poised to take that route once again. Their form has tailed off of late but they are still hanging on to that final play-off spot. Yeo reckons they are in with a good chance of securing a play-off berth, but first he spoke to givemefootball's Ian Clarkson about his joy at receiving the PFA Fans' Player of the Month Award.
Q:WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO WIN THIS AWARD?
A:I am really quite excited. It is nice to be recognised and the fact that the fans have voted for it makes the award that little bit more special. I want to say thank you to everyone who voted for me and to all the supporters at home and away games who have given me this recognition.
Q:ARE YOU STILL ON COURSE FOR A PLAY-OFF SPOT?
A:We need to make a big, final push but I guess most other teams will be saying that as well. It will probably go all the way to the final day of the season, but it would be nice to reach the play-offs again. Mind you, it would be good if we could go straight up because I would love a longer holiday!
Q:IS THIS YOUR BEST SEASON IN THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE?
A:Definitely. In my first season I was a little bit poor to be honest, but the main reason I am performing better now is that I am taking my chances. Obviously, I am now a lot fitter and my game awareness has improved too. Coming out of non-league was a huge step-up to full time football and it has taken me two to three years to adapt to it. I am really enjoying my football though and that is probably why I am scoring so many goals.
Q:HAVE YOU GOT ANY PREDICTIONS FOR YOURSELF FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON?
A:I am not going to set myself any targets in terms of goals because I made that mistake a couple of years ago and ended up with custard on my face! It wasn't so long ago that I was in the army then I signed for Hyde. There was a bit of interest while I was there, but it was Lincoln who first took a chance on me and I am just delighted to be playing at this level.
Q:KEITH ALEXANDER MADE A LOT OF SIGNINGS FROM THE NON-LEAGUE GAME BUT IT SEEMS TO HAVE WORKED – WHAT IS THE SECRET TO HIS SUCCESS?
A:There was about eight of us who all arrived at the same time three seasons ago and we have just gelled. There was a nucleus of a team here with players like Peter Gain and Alan Marriott and they were all really helpful to the new lads and we just hit it off. No disrespect to anyone who was here before but I think the gaffer cleared out all the big-time earners and the spirit has been fantastic.
Q:HOW IMPORTANT IS THIS WEEK'S GAME AGAINST SHREWSBURY?
A:It is a big game for us and we need to get three points. We have been a bit up and down both at home and away this season. We have beaten the top teams like Yeovil at home, but we have struggled against the lesser lights of the division. We seem to have stuttered but we must make sure that we don't drop any points against Shrewsbury.
