Since his arrival at Lincoln City in January, Sam Clucas has found opportunities hard to come by, prompting frustration from supporters and a rising tide of speculation on social media.
Some saw the 34-year-old midfielder as a coup when he joined, especially with his Premier League experience and local ties. Yet, he’s barely featured and recently hasn’t even made the matchday squad.
For many, the question is simple: why? I answered this, along with the Stacey West panel, at the recent live event we did, but I thought I’d address it on here as well, to quieten some who think I’m avoiding talking about it because of some club silencing order or something.
For the record, I would like to have seen more of Sam. His signing excited me, but I do try to look at situations objectively.
Performance Versus Perception
Clucas has shown glimpses of quality during his cameo appearances, there’s no doubt about that. He scored directly from a corner against Mansfield and looked tidy on the ball in other brief outings. While he hasn’t dramatically outperformed Lincoln’s other midfield options, he certainly hasn’t looked out of place either. When compared to the likes of Ethan Hamilton or Conor McGrandles, most would argue he deserves at least parity in minutes.
But therein lies part of the dilemma. The central midfield area is crowded. Alongside Hamilton and McGrandles, the club also have Tom Bayliss and Ethan Erhahon, all of whom are younger and, importantly, tied down for the future. Clucas, by contrast, is on a short-term deal and may not be at the club next season. From a purely strategic point of view, giving minutes to players who will be part of next year’s squad makes more sense – even if Clucas might offer something different in the short term.
Still, many fans argue that in games like the recent 1–1 draw against Shrewsbury, where creativity was lacking, a player with Clucas’s pedigree might have made the difference. That sentiment is fair – and in fact, many share it, including me– but there’s a world of difference between asking for more minutes and assuming darker motives behind his absence.
The Conspiracy Theories
It wouldn’t be football without a conspiracy theory or two, and Clucas’s situation has unfortunately become a breeding ground for them. One popular claim is that he was never wanted by head coach Michael Skubala and was signed above his head. Another, even more outlandish, suggests that playing him triggers an automatic contract extension – despite him only having made eight appearances. Those sorts of clauses typically activate at ten, fifteen or twenty games – not nine – so this theory holds little water.
The truth is, nobody outside the club’s inner circle knows what’s happening on the training ground. Claims that Clucas is being mistreated are overstated. Not being picked doesn’t automatically equate to poor treatment. There’s no evidence he’s training alone or being isolated, as has happened to other players under previous regimes. From all accounts, Clucas remains a professional presence in the dressing room.
What’s more telling is the selective outrage. When players like Max Sanders or Hakeeb Adelakun were left out under previous managers, there wasn’t this level of outcry. The only difference? Clucas is seen as “one of our own.” That emotional tie has coloured perspectives, leading some supporters to call his treatment a “disgrace” without any real insight into what’s going on behind the scenes.
The Power of the Narrative
A lot of the uproar stems not from Clucas’s performances, but from the story around him. The idea of a local lad returning to help push Lincoln up the table is an appealing one. Fans love a fairytale – just look at the reaction to Lee Frecklington’s return in 2018. In Clucas’s case, it hasn’t quite played out the way supporters hoped, and that has led to disappointment.
But here’s the thing: if Lincoln had signed a 34-year-old midfielder with his recent experience only coming in the National League, would there be the same clamour to see him start? Probably not. It’s the narrative – not necessarily the form – that’s driving the calls for inclusion. That doesn’t make the fans wrong to want him to play. But it does highlight how emotional attachments can distort our view of what’s happening on the pitch.
It’s also important to look at the broader picture. Lincoln have been among the highest scorers in League One since Christmas. That doesn’t mean performances have been perfect – the Shrewsbury draw was certainly uninspiring – but it suggests that things aren’t as broken as the more vocal online voices would have you believe. The club is also performing above its budget position, currently sitting several places higher in the table than its wage bill would suggest. That context matters.
Looking Ahead
Would it be nice to see more of Clucas before the end of the season? Absolutely. He’s a quality player, and there’s every chance he could add something to the squad in the final games. It would also provide a sense of closure – either he shows he’s still got it and earns a longer stay, or he bows out having at least had a fair crack.
But let’s not lose perspective. Clucas’s absence isn’t proof of dysfunction, nor is it evidence of a rift within the club. Sometimes, signings don’t work out the way anyone hoped. Sometimes, players and systems just don’t click. And sometimes, a short-term deal is exactly that – short-term cover for an injury or gap in the squad.
If he features again, fans should get behind him. If he doesn’t, it won’t be because of a grand conspiracy. It’ll be because, in the manager’s eyes, other players are currently better suited to the task at hand. That might be frustrating, but it’s not sinister.
In the end, the story of Sam Clucas at Lincoln City may not become the fairytale many imagined. But it’s also not the tragedy some are making it out to be. Football is full of nuance, and this is just another example of how easily passion and perspective can collide.
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