Predicted Starting XI For Lincoln City v Barnsley

City head into the game against Barnsley with a cloud of uncertainty around team selection, and the starting XI feels harder to call than usual.

The press conference gave us very little to work with, and when injuries are not mentioned at all it usually hints at news we would rather not hear. I’m hoping that’s not the case, but it does change my predicted lineup.

A Night for Caution

City already know they will be without Oscar Thorn and Adam Jackson. The concern now is the silence around two more first team players. When Radio Lincolnshire do not ask their standard injury question, it usually means they have been briefed not to. That alone suggests we may be carrying more knocks than we would like going into a game of real importance.

Even so, we strengthened the squad well enough in the summer to soften the blow when absences pile up. Whether the depth is genuine first team quality is a debate for supporters, but numerically at least we should be able to cope.

In goal it will be George Wickens. There is no real debate there. Some supporters have suggested giving Zach Jeacock a run, but Wickens is our number one. Yes, he has conceded a few recently, but nothing that hints at a crisis. Goalkeeping errors happen. Generally he has been steady and has had a relatively settled defence in front of him.

Tendayi Darikwa takes the right back slot. He is reliable, rarely injured and carries the armband. Dexter Lembikisa looked raw in the Trophy game, so Darikwa is the clear starter. On the left, Adam Reach should continue. He was on media duty this week, which nearly always signals involvement. Ryley Towler is not the choice for a fixture of this magnitude, not out wide of defence anyway.

The centre-back pairing should be Sonny Bradley and Tom Hamer. Bradley gives us experience and presence, while Hamer has quietly grown into a dependable regular. Many supporters saw Adam Jackson as the default partner for Bradley, but with Jacko sidelined, Hamer has stepped into the role and looked assured. His long throw is only a small part of his package. His defensive work has been consistent and smart.

Midfield Decisions

Assuming a 4-2-3-1, the midfield pair should be Conor McGrandles and Tom Bayliss. McGrandles is written in permanent ink. Bayliss missed out recently when Jack Moylan was used deeper, but this fixture feels like one for a steady pairing. Starting McGrandles with Ivan Varfolomeev would be too cautious and too similar. Bayliss gives us a little more progression and bravery on the ball.

Then comes the uncertainty. My gut feeling is that we may be without Ben House and James Collins. The silence around both is telling. House was seen on crutches last week, while Collins came off at Huddersfield with a worrying reaction. None of that has been clarified.

If those fears are correct, the attacking three behind the striker will likely be Moylan in the ten, Reeco Hackett on the left and Rob Street on the right. Street is far from a natural wide player, but with Thorn and House unavailable, the options shrink. Michael Skubala likes the work Street gives us out wide, even if it does not always feel like a natural fit.

The number nine role would then fall to Justin Obikwu. He suits the profile Skubala likes. Strong, direct and able to occupy centre halves. Freddie Draper is another candidate, and I genuinely think he has been undervalued in recent weeks, but Justin feels the more probable choice.

There is an argument for using Erik Ring to give natural width, particularly from me as a big Ring fan, with Hackett on the opposite flank and Moylan as the ten. It is what I would do. However, I suspect the staff will go with the safer, narrower structure.

A Balancing Act

For now, this feels like a night when City need shape, discipline and a little luck with injuries. Whatever the final team sheet looks like, it will be shaped more by who is missing than who is available.

Up the Imps.