Lincoln City have been exceptional this season and their form has put them in an unexpected precedent of being on the verge of promotion to the EFL Championship.
The Imps are having a remarkable campaign and sit in second place in EFL League One under Michael Skubala as fans dream of the second tier.
The former Leeds United coach has brought his experience in both football and futsal to Lincolnshire, as he looks to get the side into new record heights.
Skubala is looking to make Lincoln City the only side representing Lincolnshire in the top two tiers of English football.
The Imps are looking to reach the Championship for the first time since 1960-61, an astonishing 65 years.
Here we take a look at several factors that have contributed to this:
Despite playing just 34 games this season, Lincoln City have kept 13 clean sheets in the league, with all of those coming from their number one George Wickens.
This stat puts the Imps joint top of the league for shutouts, alongside leaders Cardiff City whom Michael Skubala’s side are just one point behind.
Wickens has 12 of the 13 clean sheets and he has kept 24 clean sheets in 75 games since joining from Premier League club Fulham.
Zach Jeacock has also stepped in making seven cup appearances and he has kept four clean sheets during that time.
Lincoln City appear to have found their predominant formation as they play a 4-2-3-1 for much of this campaign.
This style of play seems to get the best out of the entire squad as everyone has a part to play in their preferred position. Players such as Tendayi Darikwa, Sonny Bradley and Adam Reach have shored up the defence.
Fellow defender Tom Hamer has also brought his long throw-ins to the club and he causes chaos in the opposition box as he propels the ball into the danger area. The 26-year-old has several assists this season as he uses his arms as one of Lincoln City’s many different forms of attack.
Ivan Varfolomeev has stepped into the central defensive midfield position like a duck to water alongside Conor McGrandles. Since his move from Ukrainian football, he has been fighting for a position with Tom Bayliss.
Jack Moylan, Reeco Hackett and Rob Street play well as the central attacking midfielders and have contributed their share of goals.
Up front Ryan Oné and Freddie Draper have stepped up since James Collins season ending knee injury before Christmas.
This season, there haven’t been many single standout players, it’s more of a squad effort. Players that were fringe players have become a bigger part of the squad.
Lincoln City have several different goal-scorers in most of their matches, as the whole squad step up.
Two examples of this are the wins over Blackpool where Conor McGrandles, Rob Street, Ryan Oné and Dom Jeffries were on the scoresheet.
The Imps also beat Northampton Town by the same scoreline, where Ryan Oné, Jack Moylan, Ivan Varfolomeev and Rob Street all hit the net.
Michael Skubala’s side are unbeaten in 17 games this season and have won seven of their last eight matches, with their only draw coming against third-placed Bolton Wanderers.
The Imps haven’t tasted defeat since their 3-2 reverse away at Wycombe Wanderers in November in League One.
Lincoln City have won 21 of their 34 matches and are just a single point behind leaders Cardiff City, with the pair set to meet in a colossal clash next weekend.
The Lincolnshire side have amassed just over two points per game this season.
Manager Michael Skubala and his assistants Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw have all had their own input into the squad’s behaviour this season and have given the team confidence as they soar towards the Championship.
Since Skubala’s appointment, the 43-year-old has amassed a total of 1.62 points per game and he has won 72 games which is 47%, according to Sofascore.
The Imps have just been bought out by American Ron Fowler, with former chairman Clive Nates still staying on the board of directors.
As Lincoln City further strengthen their finances and in turn their chances of staying up if they reach the Championship, as expected.
