Former Lincoln City midfielder Conor McGrandles is set to return to Sincil Bank this weekend after signing a loan deal with Cambridge United.
McGrandles, who turned down a new deal to move to Charlton in the summer, has fallen out of favour at the Valley, and now finds himself embroiled in a relegation battle with the Us. His departure from Sincil Bank caused some controversy after sources suggested he wanted a move to Scotland, only to turn up in our division.
McGrandles has suffered from niggling injuries at the Valley, restricting him to just nine league appearances for the Addicks in a frustrating stint with the club. That came on the back of two solid seasons with the Imps, where he made 96 appearances, scoring six goals. His time at Lincoln was his most prolific in terms of staying injury-free after turning out 91 times for MK Dons in a three-season stint there.
He’s bound to get a warm welcome this weekend, and I do say that with a hint of sarcasm. The stigma of the Scotland rumours didn’t help, and there will be some who feel bitter he turned down a new deal to leave for another club in our division, and who take delight in it not having worked out. I initially felt angry at his departure, but I realised he was only trying to move to a bigger club for better money, and nobody can begrudge a player that.
What is frustrating is that we enter the final week of the window needing a player, just like McGrandles, to a degree. He would add energy to our midfield, but at the same time, he never convinced me as part of a two – he played his best football in a three, and we already have two midfielders who are comfortable in a three. However, Matt Virtue’s injury has left us short and seeing a rival sign one of our own former players whilst we still look light ahead of the utterly crucial clash might frustrate some.
Do remember this weekend, it was said Conor wanted a move back to Scotland by many sources, inside the club and out, but crucially, it was never something he said himself. He was a good servant to us, part of a decent team in 2020/21, and he owed us nothing, signing for free and leaving for free. Hopefully, he has a stinker this weekend and goes on to resurrect his career after it turned quickly sour in London.
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