Football Season Guide

There’s a repeating summer theme for Lincoln City and that’s keeping hold of their best players. It was the same story 12 months ago and it is becoming an increasingly frustrating feeling for both fans and head coach Michael Skubala alike. The Imps have finished 11th, 7th and then 11th again in League One and the desire to push on and challenge for the play-offs is being compromised by their inability to retain their top performers. This summer has seen impressive centre-back Paudie O’Connor make a seemingly sideways move to Reading. Centre-back Sean Roughan was polished into a diamond during his time at Sincil Bank but has opted to join Huddersfield Town, who finished just one place and three points above the Imps last season. These decisions just add to the feelings of frustration. Worse still is the loss of their best player in midfielder Ethan Erhahon. He has joined Bolton Wanderers for £750,000 and whilst it's a significant fee, he'll be incredibly difficult to replace. There is some good news however. George Wickens was a reliable and consistent performer between the stick whilst retaining wing-back and Player of the Season Tendayi Darwikwa is a real boost. Striker James Collins proved to be a shrewd addition in January and is likely to play a pivotal role in leading the line this season. That role might have been played by striker Ben House, but he didn’t kick on as expected last season and his drop in form saw Skubala drop him into a deeper role. There is therefore a pressing need to strengthen the attack. At the time of writing there have been just two new additions, both centre-backs. Ryley Towler will be looking to kick-start his career whilst Sonny Bradley brings lots of experience with him following a stand-out loan spell at Wycombe Wanderers.