Next Season: Are Lincoln City In Good Shape?

With five games to go, I think we all know that come next year, we’re going to be a League One side again.

Back in 2016/17, I was asked what our ceiling was, and I recall thinking ‘established League One side’ would be alright. You always have to look up, and I’m not saying I have settled for this, but it is a big achievement. When things are not going well it is easy to say ‘look where we’ve come from’ but I try not to.

However, when you consider the post-GMVC years, the halcyon days (off the field) of the nineties, we have done well. History will look on this period as a purple patch, much like the fifties, and rightly so. History rarely remembers the 4-3 defeats at Barnsley, shining instead on top half finishes.

Looking ahead to next season, what sort of shape are we in? Do we need a rebuild? Are we in better shape to assault the top six in 2025/26 than we were 12 months ago? I do think so, and having gone over the squad, I think I can make a good argument for that.

Keepers

Last year we knew we’d lose Lukas Jensen, and in fairness, Jordan Wright was considered an okay back up. Going into 25/26 we’re going to have George Wickens, Zach Jeacock and Jamie Pardington.

Is Wickens as good as Jensen was last season? Honestly, probably not this campaign, no. He’s had some great games, but once or twice looked a bit shaky. However, if you were to ask me if his ceiling is the same, I’d say absolutely. His performance against Charlton highlighted that. He’s big, he’s agile and he is getting much more confident commanding his area. I have no issue with him being our number one.

I also think Jeacock is a better keeper than Jordan Wright. They’ve got similar stature, but when we had Jeacock in, I never felt worried. Okay, the Barnsley game was a mare for him, but he made some good saves and kept Wickens on the bench. I think, pound for pound, we’re in a better position with our keepers.

Defence

This is where there’s going to be a focus over the summer. Paudie is out of contract and likely to leave. Sean Roughan is out of contract, but we will either get a big development fee, or hang on to him. Adam Jackson is out of contract, but as I understand we may have an option there. Still, that’s three first-choice centre backs, or two and a left back, possibly not being with us.

However, Tom Hamer has been a shining light over the course of the last month, and he seems to be a staple of the current Imps XI. Tendayi Darikwa has ‘captain’ written all over him, giving us the fragments of a defence. Lewis will, hopefully, have moved through his injury worries, so it’s not all doom and gloom.

If we’re going to play 4-2-3-1, and there’s no reason to suspect we will not, then I won’t count Reeco or Dom Jeffries in the defence, so we will be looking to add a left back, I think, and at least one central defender. This is my only area of concern because you have to ensure we have a tight unit in front of Wickens. We saw in 21/22 what a patchy defence can lead to – Josh Griffiths barely ever played with the same four or five in front of him from week to week.

Midfield

Yes, there are questions. In terms of contracts, it’s not entirely clear who is with us next season, but it’s fair to assume that all of our midfielders are – Tom Bayliss, Ethan Hamilton, Conor McGrandles and Ethan Erhahon. I know there are others, but those are the four likely to operate in the two slots of the 4-2-3-1. Sam Clucas has been with us for three months and he is a likely option as back up, so I can’t really see what we’d need here. The only change might be if we sell Erhahon, and then we’d look to replace.

I think we do need a dedicated defensive midfielder. The other three are box-to-box at best, with Tom Bayliss a good shout for a ten at times, but we don’t have an out-and-out six to replace Erhahon. That’ll be on the club’s mind, without a doubt.

Lateral Attackers

Okay, so this is wide attackers. I won’t label them wingers, but the likes of Dom Jeffries, Jovon Makama, Erik Ring and Reeco Hackett. I can see us recruiting here, and I’m all for it. I love a wide player, one who can dip a shoulder, or use a bit of pace to get in behind. I’m thinking Harry Anderson, Bruno Andrade, David Puttnam, Nathan Arnold – exciting players. If Michael Skubala wants bums off seats, then here’s where it happens.

In Jovon we have a real wide talent, and with rumours of Joe Gardner being targeted again, we could offer serious threat out wide. I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t look to add another though, another of our own, to protect against both injury and interest in Jovon. Because interest in Jovon will happen.

The Ten

Across the Lincoln area, I can hear people sighing as I call a position on the pitch by a number, but frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn. We’re blessed in this position, as Ben House is a fighter and battler who can play here, Reeco a bit more of an architect, and Jack Moylan a forward-thinking runner. They’ll all share the burden, or rather, they could share the burden, but there’s also JJ McKiernan, fresh from a decent loan spell at Burton to come in. I can’t wait to see him getting game time, and if all that fails, Tom Bayliss will come in.

We’re laden with potential ‘tens’ and I can’t see it being a priority, unless someone leaves. Reeco signed a three-year deal, so he’s with us next season, and I expect we have an option on Ben House as well.

Strikers

James Collins. That’s all I need to say. With James Collins in the squad, we’re going to score goals. The key is what we have as an alternative. There’s Freddie Draper, who will get better with age after a tough season. Freddie hasn’t been found wanting for effort, but at times, he has struggled to make the impact he will, one day. Rob Street has benefitted from a great loan spell and will come back as an option. Of course, there’s Jovon and Ben House as well, giving us options.

If we’re going one up top, will we be happy with those numbers? Possibly. If Collins got injured, we’d look light, but we can hardly go out and grab another James Collins. A young loan like Cadamarteri? Maybe, but then there’s the expectation of minutes and I don’t think we can guarantee anything for players we don’t own.