The Imps’s dramatic end to the 2023/24 season will live long in the memory—an exhilarating sprint to the playoffs that included 18 goals in three games, a raucous fanbase, and a belief that promotion wasn’t far away.
But while it was thrilling in the moment, that success created ripple effects that may have hindered the Imps as they moved into the 2024/25 campaign. The more I thought about it, the more I can see that we have paid a price, of sorts, for that sprint to the finish line last season.
Here’s a breakdown of how that strong finish—while a high point—ended up creating problems in several key areas.
Fan Expectation Skyrocketed
The biggest and most immediate impact was the surge in fan expectation. That incredible run—from the comeback at Wycombe to the demolition of Barnsley, Cambridge, and Bristol Rovers—set the bar extraordinarily high. Once a club comes within a whisker of the playoffs, the natural assumption among fans is that progression is the only acceptable next step. But football doesn’t work like that.
The buzz that carried through the summer led to heightened anticipation for a repeat performance, or better. The issue? City were still a developing side, and the rest of League One evolved too. Fans don’t always account for seven teams leaving the division (three promoted, four relegated), or that clubs like Reading and Wigan weren’t dealing with point deductions anymore. Suddenly, the “next step” wasn’t just hard—it was a completely different challenge.
In the social media age, opinion spreads quickly. Players see it, managers see it. A small minority online can shape perceived sentiment. That adds pressure, changes the dressing room mood, and can shift how players and coaches operate. If we had finished 18th, fans would’ve praised the progress seen this season. But coming so close to glory last time around, anything short of a promotion chase has felt like underachievement to some—even if that’s unfair.
Tactical Identity Delayed by Last Season’s Success
Another key impact of last season’s finish was on the team’s formation and tactical evolution. Michael Skubala inherited a squad that played in a 3-5-2. And when he first arrived, there was speculation that he preferred a 4-2-3-1 setup. But he couldn’t change overnight with a squad built for 3-5-2.
Except… maybe you should. That resistance to change, grounded in the logic of “never change a winning team”, meant the switch to a 4-2-3-1 was delayed. And while 3-5-2 got Lincoln results last spring, the system wasn’t optimal for Skubala’s long-term vision of high pressing and front-foot football. However, we stuck with it this season, and while it worked at times (ask Peterborough and Mansfield), at others, it did not.
By the time the change came, some fans were already frustrated, and the adjustment had to be made under pressure. There’s a strong argument that if last season had ended more tamely, the manager may have had the freedom and space to shape the team his way from the off.
Recruitment Focused on a System That Wasn’t the Future
That leads us naturally into the topic of recruitment. Lincoln’s summer business was solid in my opinion. Tom Bayliss, Conor McGrandles, Tendayi Darikwa, JJ McKiernan, Rob Street—these were good signings with both immediate impact and future potential. But were they made with a 3-5-2 in mind, or were they more naturally suited to a 4-2-3-1?
It’s a tricky one because, on paper, the team was recruiting quality. But there wasn’t a natural left wing-back brought in. Players like Dom Jefferies have had to fill that role (well, I might add) even though they were more accustomed to central areas. Reeco Hackett and Dylan Duffy were both players who looked at home on the wing, but not so much at wing back.
But again, the strong finish clouded that. There may have been a subconscious pressure to “go again” with the same system and personnel—even if the squad was naturally evolving into something different. And with players like Mandroiu and Bishop departing, the midfield lost two key creative outlets. The new arrivals—Bayliss, Moylan, McKiernan—are quality, but have struggled to replicate that level of consistent output, especially amid injury problems.
The Joe Taylor Effect
Another unintended consequence of the playoff push was the Joe Taylor effect. His impact during the run-in was sensational. He scored important goals, played with energy, and quickly became a fan favourite. Naturally, Lincoln tried to find a similar profile this season. Enter Bailey Cadamarteri.
The issue? Taylor was the right man at the right moment. When teams started sitting deeper against Lincoln, his threat diminished—just look at his quiet performance for Huddersfield against us recently. Cadamarteri, while talented, wasn’t a like-for-like and struggled in similar conditions.
By trying to recreate the Taylor magic, Lincoln may have made life harder for new strikers. Any forward arriving was inevitably compared to a version of Taylor that only existed in a few standout games. In reality, half Joe Taylor’s goals came in just two fixtures. He scored one in nine before we beat Barnsley, and two in seven after.
He was good, but the memory of his purple patch overshadowed a more modest overall contribution.
The League Caught On
The element of surprise was gone. That electric form at the end of 2023/24 turned Lincoln into a marked team. Opponents studied us closer and coaches learned how to stifle our pace and attacking rhythm. Deep defensive lines, compact shapes, and gritty tactics became the norm.
City, without that same free-scoring fluency, found themselves facing more stubborn opposition. Recent games like the home draw with Cambridge or the dour battle with Wycombe have become more common. Fans, comparing them to 6-0 and 5-1 victories from seasons before, questioned what had changed. The answer? Nothing, and everything. Lincoln were still good, but everyone else was better prepared.
False Dawn or Foundation?
Ultimately, last season’s finish wasn’t a disaster, it was incredible and we’ll always remember how close we got. It brought pride, belief, and showcased the team’s potential. But in many ways, it created a false dawn. Delayed tactical shifts, and unrealistic expectations collided, making this season more frustrating than it might have been otherwise.
Yet there’s optimism. The Imps head into the summer with control over their squad. There’s no major loan exodus. Young talent like Jovon Makama, McKiernan, and Street could return stronger. The team has a clearer identity and a stable base.
Ironically, this year’s quieter end may offer the perfect launchpad for 2025/26. It’s mid-table obscurity now—but that might be the disguise we need to go again, without the weight of expectation holding them back.
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