Two Months In: The Imps Analysis

We’re now two months into the new season, our National League hell is well and truly behind us as we embark on our journey into the unknown. Lincoln City are in the finest shape of my lifetime and our destination isn’t clear. There’s plenty along for the ride though, record numbers in fact, but what have the first two months brought for us?

I think the fairest words would be ‘realisation’ and ‘consolidation’. For the fans, realisation that the level of League Two football is considerably higher than some of us thought. That isn’t generalising of course, plenty of your will say you knew it’d be tough. I’ll hold my hands up, I didn’t think the standard would be as high as it is. I got lulled into a false sense of security by wins against Oldham and Brighton. Danny and Nicky didn’t though, otherwise we’d be much lower than 11th at present.

I think that realisation is balanced somewhat though. Whilst Morecambe and Barnet have proven to us that the lower teams aren’t as bad as we hoped, matches against Luton and Mansfield have suggested the so-called fancied teams are also not as far ahead as we thought. Exeter and Notts County lead the way, two sides we matched in terms of skill and ability. Exeter were more streetwise of course and we didn’t get a fair assessment of our progress once the referee intervened against County, but overall we’ve acquitted ourselves nicely. Don’t be fooled, our opening two months have been tough but other sides have had similar opening sequences too. I’m not one to bleat about bad luck (not a couple of weeks afterwards) and these things even out over the season.

The other word I used to describe our opening was consolidation, and I think that was what everyone wanted for the season. Danny knew the challenges that lay ahead and he said prior to the season that staying tucked in around tenth place would give us a springboard going into the second half of the season. we’re some way off Christmas but in terms of staying in touch, we’re there. There is enough of a gap between us and those clearly struggling to say we’re comfortable, but there is enough of a gap between us and the top three to suggest we are going to be in that middle pack.

I’ve seen plenty of comment about where we’re short and what we need and one issue I can’t argue with is being light up front. It isn’t a desperate situation though, is it? We’re not four points adrift of everyone else and short on goals. We’re missing chances, but as Danny would tell you that means we’re creating chances. Often Matt Green looks isolated up front, but we did manage to secure Matt Green in the first instance. If ever a player had ‘Cowley’s type’ stamped on him it is Green, and despite his lack of goals I’ve perhaps been impressed with him as much as anyone. His work rate is immense, but he needs someone up there with him that can create an attack but also stay up with that phase of play to support Green. It breaks my heart to see Matt Rhead on the bench but I think we know that he just isn’t mobile enough to be that guy.

Anyone that thinks Danny pinned his hopes on one last-minute signing is living in a dream land.

Sure we missed out on Akinola and perhaps a couple of other players too, but anyone that thinks Danny pinned his hopes on one last-minute signing is living in a dream land. Ollie Palmer has the ability to be effective up top, he’s bagged a few already this season and against Barnet he was outstanding. Billy Knott is desperate to get a chance to play the ’10’ role too and once his suspension expires I think we’ll see him back there. Cambridge will need to watch out because Billy is technically gifted and he’ll be like a wounded animal on his return.

Our squad is evolving and changing with each game which is a sure indication that we’ll never rest on our laurels. Josh Vickers coming in shows how much of a squad game we’re playing, ditto Luke Waterfall. I can see Luke spending much more time on the bench then we anticipated at the beginning of the season, Rob Dickie is another ‘Cowley’ type of player. That isn’t to say Luke isn’t, but it’s clear DC likes his loan defender.

Last season in September we were looking at the side commenting on how Danny was planning for League Two. The players he brought in were not National League quality, they were Football league quality. Now he’s looking at League One quality and that is surely of comfort to Imps fans. He isn’t filling the squad with dross, nor with players that have little or no first team role to play. It might be leaving us short at times, that was evident when looking at the bench against Barnet, but that will switch in January significantly.

Last year Danny was planning for promotion to the Football League and (in my opinion) he believed he could get that promotion. Pre-season saw a ruthless cull of those players disguised as amiable contract discussions, but it also saw an influx of players on two-year deals. You know why? Because our League Two promotion journey is a two-year plan. Danny is building a coherent squad to stay around the top half this season and be right up there next season. If you need an indication of whether this works or not, look at Exeter City who have done the same thing.

We do need to be patient as fans, Danny and Nicky have managed eleven Football League games and they’re learning just as quickly as anyone. With the power of hindsight do you think they’d perhaps up the offer for a striker earlier in the window? Maybe. Would they have tried to tie up Akinola or whoever else ahead of the final day? I doubt there would be anything they could change there. The transfer window moves so fast, one minute you’ve got a player ready to sign, the next he scores a hat trick in a friendly and Preston move for him. With our strict policy of references and recruitment criteria we were never just going to get filler, no could we react as quickly when some deals fell through.

He’ll be an Imps hero of ‘Gareth Ainsworth’ magnitude, not least because of his down to earth and unassuming persona away from the pitch

I think our players, in the main, have done well since stepping up. Alex Woodyard has picked up where he left off, certainly up until the last game or so. He’s adjusted his game slightly too, Bozzie has dropped into Alex’s role of last season meaning Alex has had to advance a little. That led to his two-goal haul against Carlisle but it is adding an additional facet to his game as well. He’ll be learning from Bozzie and becoming even more of a rounded player. Other National League heroes that have stepped up with ease include Raggs (obviously), Harry Anderson and Nathan Arnold. Nathan’s return is massive for us, anyone who doubts his ability to step up only needs to remember that late run against Luton, the dying embers of the game and he was still swift, alert and ready to attack. It’s him and Anderson on the flanks for me with Ginnelly coming off the bench for impact.

Harry Anderson (pictured top) is a real prospect too, a player whom will eventually play at the very highest level. If he remains fit then that direct running and raw power can only keep bringing us goals. He’ll be an Imps hero of ‘Gareth Ainsworth’ magnitude, not least because of his down to earth and unassuming persona away from the pitch. He can be devastating when he runs at players and as he gets games under his belt nobody will dislodge him from the first team.

Of the new signings, after Matt Green, Neal Eardley has impressed me the most. He’s a monster of a full back, he reads the game superbly and has such a subtle and succinct touch. His arrival has allowed us to go into the season a full-back short, and keeping him fit is crucial over the next couple of months. Sam is still regaining his match sharpness and Neal offers cover across the two full back positions. I’m told he’s close to triggering an extension in his deal and that will be more great news for the Imps.

Jordan Maguire Drew has yet to win over the fans, but he will. As those days turn into months we’re going to rely on depth in the squad and he’s an able boy with a lot to prove. I’d expect him to start against Everton U21’s at the end of October and that could be the kick start he needs to push on. We shouldn’t be writing any player off at this stage, aside from Tom Champion I haven’t seen Danny bring in a flop which is incredibly considering even great managers such as Keith and Murph missed as often as they hit.

All in I’m delighted with our start in a tough league. Danny is up front enough to admit we don’t want to be nearly men and we know as fans we’re still a body or two short of where we want to be, but in truth this is a two-year plan with just two months elapsed so far. The signs are there that we’re not pushovers, we’re not set for a return through the trap door and we’ve got enough, on our day, to trouble anyone in the league. Over the next two months hopefully we’ll remain consistent, and when Billy returns we’ll discover the method that doesn’t involve the big ball up front. If we do, one or two teams might get a bit of a surprise when ‘misfiring’ Lincoln City come to town. Once Matt Green gets one, he’ll get a bag full, and when he is properly on form we’re going to be a real prospect.

Thanks to Graham Burrell and Lincoln City for the use of the photos

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