It was less than a year ago that many Lincoln City fans believed they could potentially be in the Sky Bet Championship, as the Imps sat in the play-off positions towards the end of the season. Themselves and Oxford United were both fighting for those final few places in the end of season showcase, the latter managed to sneak in and now find themselves playing in the second tier. Barnsley snuck in as well, following Lincoln’s final day 2-0 defeat at home to league champions Portsmouth.
Oxford now sit in 18th position and the U’s recorded a great 1-0 win over Watford on Saturday, taking them 4 points clear of the drop zone as they look to consolidate. Pompey sit one place above, but both sides are on the same points. The Imps sit mid table in League One after a transitioning season. One of the highlights of the season could well prove to be Saturday just gone with the players recording a wonderful 5-0 victory over Bristol Rovers. Youngster Jovon Makama scored a hat trick in that match but has had his critics this season but in previous weeks, manager Michael Skubala appears to have found the 21 year olds favoured position on the wing, after him playing striker for much of the season. Despite the critics, most fans do rate Makama and he has been in great form and is the top scorer at the club with 7 goals, also boasting 6 assists to top both tables.
It was always likely to be a time of change for Skubala’s side this season with them losing the likes of goalkeeper Lukas Jensen and influential full back Lasse Sorensen to Millwall and Huddersfield respectively last summer. “Skoobs” as he is commonly referred to though, did manage to recruit well with the signings of the likes of George Wickens (Fulham), Tendayi Darikwa (Apol Limassol), Bailey Cadamarteri (Sheff Weds) and James Collins (Derby) with the latter two being loans.
Darikwa brings with him a wealth of experience at the age of 33 and his experience at the back is helped by fellow defender Paudie O Connor, however, the Irishman is currently in discussions over a new deal with his current one expiring in the summer. If O Connor did decide to leave he would have the good wishes of most of the fan base after being a rock a the back. Alongside the experience, the Imps do have some good young players on their books as well. The aforementioned Jovon Makama, defender Sean Roughan and 23 year old Ethan Erhahon who arrived from St Mirren in January 2023, signing a ‘long term’ contract. According to Transfermarkt, the Scot is worth close to £1m so the Imps could well cash in this summer.
The Sincil Bank outfit (sorry it will never be the LNER stadium to me) have struggled for consistency this season, sitting 12th in the Sky Bet League One, having won 13 matches but losing 14, the remaining 10 all being draws this campaign. Skubala’s side do always seem to be in the matches, only twice have they lost by 3 goals this season, 3-0 away at Crawley back in October and the 3-0 defeat to Bolton at the end of December, albeit they did receive a red card in that match for star midfielder Erhahon. He would return from the ban and play 6 more times for the club, before injury struck away at Wigan Athletic and he hasn’t played since. The Imps have missed him massively since the beginning of February.
Much of the remainder of the season will be about pride as it looks unlikely they will go either up or down but the future looks bright. As well as the previously mentioned players, Lincoln also have a few players performing on loan, the likes of Rob Street and JJ McKiernan are playing well for Doncaster Rovers and Burton Albion respectively. Both players will be hoping they can break into the first team for the Imps next season.
The question remains to be seen, will the Imps manage to keep hold of their top players this summer? The likes of Makama, O Connor, Roughan and Erhahon are bound to attract interest.
I’ve not even had chance to broach the FA Cup runs the Imps have been on in recent times, idea for a future article?
