Tanto Olaofe may only just have become a Lincoln City player, but Chris Cohen certainly does not need introducing to the newest member of his attacking ranks.
In fact, after watching the former Stockport County forward cause City problems in the past, Cohen joked that bringing him to Sincil Bank might be the easiest way of finally stopping him scoring against us.
Olaofe has joined City on a season-long loan from Charlton, adding another option to an attacking group that was already on show during the excellent 2-1 Carabao Cup victory against Derby County. He came off the bench late in that game, replacing Ben House alongside fellow summer arrival Mason Melia, and Cohen believes the pair are only the beginning when it comes to adding greater depth in forward areas.
Asked about Olaofe after the win against Derby, Cohen was certainly familiar with what the 26-year-old can offer.
“(We will) do anything to stop him scoring against us,” he said with a smile.
“No, obviously, I do, as you know, a lot of stuff with the defenders, and we’ve really felt him over the last couple of years when he was at Stockport, scored home and away against us.
“(He’s) a player that we knew all about, but he will add another dimension to our wonderful attacking unit. But it needs a little bit of volume and hopefully him and Mason are the first couple to add to it.”
Cohen’s memory of Olaofe causing City problems is understandable. During the 2024/25 League One campaign, he found the net in both meetings between the Imps and Stockport County.
The first came at Sincil Bank in October 2024, when Olaofe opened the scoring after just nine minutes. City recovered from that early setback, with Ben House levelling before the break and Bailey Cadamarteri scoring the winner in a 2-1 victory.
There was more pain inflicted by Olaofe in the return fixture at Edgeley Park in April. City had actually gone into half-time 2-0 ahead through House and Erik Ring, but Stockport produced a remarkable second-half turnaround. Jayden Fevrier reduced the deficit shortly after the restart, Will Collar levelled with 12 minutes remaining and Olaofe completed the comeback in the 81st minute as County won 3-2.
Those goals perhaps explain why Cohen, who works closely with City’s defensive unit, was happy to see Olaofe wearing red and white rather than preparing to run at his back line again. More importantly, his arrival gives Cohen and Tom Shaw another type of forward. Olaofe brings pace, power and the ability to stretch sides, attributes which could be particularly useful as City adapt to Championship football.
There was already plenty to like about City’s attacking performance against Derby, with House, Freddie Draper and Rob Street all involved before Olaofe and Melia were introduced. Cohen’s comments suggest the intention is not simply to find a preferred front line, but to build enough variety and depth to cope with a demanding Championship season, which may yet include even more new faces.
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