For the next 48 hours, Lincoln City are in the automatic promotion spots in League One.
It may not last. We may surprise everyone and get to 2026 in the same place. Whatever the case, our future is in our own hands, and beyond Stockport, Barnsley and Huddersfield, that future is framed by an upcoming transfer window.
We have already dipped in, snaring Josh Honohan as planned, and while we are unlikely to be heavy movers and shakers, we will be looking to polish the edges of our impressive squad.
Polishing the edges
Polishing the edges is what we mostly did in the summer, bringing in Sonny Bradley, a firm crowd favourite, and Adam Reach, who has been exceptional in his time at the Bank. It was a window where experience trumped most things, especially early on, and as a result, we have a team of leaders.
“They are great leaders,” said Michael, when quizzed on Bradley and Reach. “They are not overthinkers or underthinkers, they are just good leaders.
“When you have a group of young men, and they are still young, it helps having players who can manage situations because they have been there many times before.
“First and foremost though, they have to be good players, and they are. When you look at the performances and the data, Adam Reach is right up there. Then you add the leadership they bring to the dressing room and on the pitch.”
It is not just those bigger names from the recent window who are making a difference. Some of our existing squad have stepped up in a way few could have envisaged, with the Scottish Rodri (not my words) being one who has been outrageously good.
“Even players like Conor McGrandles add to that. We have a settled, experienced dressing room that knows when to push and when to calm things down. That is priceless.”
When it comes to the window, clubs will splash the cash. Struggling Huddersfield might put £1m on a player, Plymouth and Luton are sure to recruit, and Ian Evatt will be adding more commitment to Blackpool’s wage bill. Money will fly about, but sometimes money is not everything.
“Some of what we have in this squad cannot be bought,” said Michael. “The work ethic is brilliant, the way they train every day is fantastic, even if fans do not always see that. They work hard for the badge and the club, and the leadership from experienced players like Sonny helps keep everyone calm and moving in the right direction.
“We feel we are in a really healthy place.”
That will not change whatever happens over the next three games, but come January 2nd, 2026, we will have a clearer picture of the waters the Imps might need to fish in if they are looking ahead to 2026/2027.
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