The quiet start to the transfer window has inevitably created a little unease among some Lincoln City fans, as it always does.
We have spent much of the summer watching Championship clubs spend sums of money that would obliterate our transfer record, while some of the players seemingly identified as leading targets have chosen to move elsewhere.
It is easy, in those circumstances, to assume that standing still means falling behind. Supporters want new arrivals because they offer excitement, reassurance and a tangible sign that the club is preparing for a huge step up. A signing feels like progress, while a quiet week can feel like inactivity.
However, that overlooks the players already at Sincil Bank.
This is not a squad that scraped through the play-offs or stumbled into promotion after a fortunate run. We won League One with 103 points and ended the campaign unbeaten in 29 league matches. We were organised, resilient and consistent, but there was quality within that structure as well. That does not suddenly disappear because the opposition will be stronger.
There is also a tendency to judge players according to the division in which we last watched them. A good League One player becomes a question mark in the Championship, while an expensive signing from elsewhere is immediately assumed to be an upgrade. Football is rarely that straightforward. Systems matter, confidence matters and the players around an individual matter. Conor McGrandles showed that last season, while Rob Street and Tom Hamer both demonstrated how much development can happen within an established environment.
We will still add to the squad. The club need greater depth in certain areas, and there will be players available later in the window who can strengthen what we already have. However, the absence of a stream of new signings does not mean the current group is incapable of competing. Some of the most important players in our Championship season might already be here. They might be individuals who have been overlooked, written off or judged too quickly.
Having watched us at Boston, I saw at least two players I am convinced will do well in the Championship, having not played there before, while I also have a sneaky feeling a couple of others, possibly being overlooked by supporters, could also be huge for us.
Here are five Lincoln City players who could surprise people in the months ahead by not only becoming comfortable in the Championship but also thriving.
For the record, I do think this list could be six. I have a funny feeling Josh Honohan, already a forgotten man to some degree, is going to be a big player for us. I can’t add him here based purely on vibes, not when I have a solid list of five anyway. Besides, I don’t have any images for him!
Comments Welcome!