There’s a little over a week to go until deadline day, and most fans still feel their club needs something.
Lincoln City have had a strong start to the season, and their fans could be forgiven for thinking they don’t need a whole lot. After a humbling 3-0 reverse at Bolton on the opening day, they have won twice and drawn in the league, as well as progressing in the Carabao Cup. In those games, they’ve kept three clean sheets and were seconds from snatching a win at Sixfields, with a last-gasp Sam Hoskins goal rescuing a point for Northampton.
Mark Kennedy has been able to draw on a deep squad, changing the game against Wycombe with the score poised at 0-0. He brought on Ted Bishop, Jack Burroughs and Tyler Walker, switching the game in their favour. Bishop bagged an assist, a second assist and a goal in an impressive cameo to help them to a 3-0 win.
Seven days later, with their tie against Shrewsbury balanced at 0-0, Kennedy made another pivotal change, bringing on Ben House and Bishop. Not long after, they scored the winning goal.
The transfer window so far
It’s generally accepted that the Imps have had a strong window. Reeco Hackett and Ethan Hamilton have been purchased for fees, and both have had solid starts to their Lincoln City careers. Tyler Walker, Jaden Brown, Lukas Jensen and Ali Smith have arrived on free transfers, whilst they’ve only dipped into the loan market twice, for Jack Burroughs and Alex Mitchell.
Much of the squad that finished 11th last season is still together, and they look strong on the bench as well as on the field. Key figures such as Paudie O’Connor, Sean Roughan, Ben House, Danny Mandroiu and Ethan Erhahon remain from last season, giving the Imps their most stable squad going into a new season for quite a few years.
What is expected between now and the end of the window?
Are the Imps expecting to make more signings? There’s no expectation of a new face, but it’s believed they’re holding out to see what might be available in the loan lottery. At the end of the transfer window, clubs in the Championship and Premier League tend to lower their prices and expectations for their players. Individuals who might not have been available in July are hawked to clubs on the final day, and there are deals to be had. That’s the market Lincoln City are likely to be waiting for.
They’ll be well-placed to take advantage. They’ve got three loan spots available and have a good reputation with players coming in on loan. Brennan Johnson, Carl Rushworth, Lewis Fiorini and Brooke Norton-Cuffy all impressed at the club and stepped up a level after their Imps’ spell, whilst the development of their own players, such as Tayo Edun and Cohen Bramall, led to Championship moves.
Lincoln City fans shouldn’t expect any surprise moves for free agents or cash bids for targets between now and the end of the window. However, don’t go anywhere on deadline day because there’s every chance the Imps could see some movement in.
