Football Season Guide

Lincoln City

In


Liam Hearn (att), Mansfield), Bradley Wood (def), Alfreton), Lee Beevers (def), Mansfield), Luke Waterfall (def), Wrexham), Matt Sparrow (mid), Scunthorpe), Craig Stanley (mid), Eastleigh), Greg Tempest (mid), Notts County), Callum Howe (def), Scunthorpe), Jack Muldoon (att), Rochdale), Chris Bush (def), Welling), Matt Rhead (att), Mansfield)

Out


Jake Caprice (r)(def), Woking), Jordan Burrow (sp)(att), FC Halifax), Sean Newton (k)(def), Wrexham), Delano Sam-Yorke (r)(att), Forest Green), Todd Jordan (sp)(mid), Hamza Bencherif (r)(mid), FC Halifax), Tom Miller (r)(def), Carlisle), Ben Tomlinson (r)(att), Barnet), Arnaud Mendy (sp)(mid), Whitehawk), Jordan Cranston (sp)(def), Notts County - end of loan), Tony Diagne (sp)(def), Macclesfield - loan), David Preece (sp)(gk), retired)

Lincoln’s aimless meandering in the non-league level has been a source of real frustration and concern among the fans of the once famous club and they will be hoping to finally see a change of trend in the upcoming campaign. However, the signs are not there that the Imps are ready for anything more than simply existing in mid-table over the course of a campaign, something that has been the norm ever since their relegation from the Football League in 2011. Lincoln are lacking the funds to properly strengthen their squad and launch an assault to the top places. They have their work cut out given the number of other big clubs in the division who look much stronger than them currently. Chris Moyses starts his first full season on the job after taking over last November. He has hardly impressed so far and the evidence is just not there that he can inspire the side to an improbable charge towards promotion. The close season did not see a major exodus of important players but nevertheless good players like Ben Tomlinson, Hamza Bencherif and Tom Miller are no longer around. Bencherif could be the biggest loss, while Tomlinson has struggled for form last season but was the team’s best striker. To be fair to Moyses, he has attracted some decent players for non-league level and the raw materials are there for a good squad. Craig Stanley and Matt Sparrow are solid additions in midfield while Luke Waterfall could be an inspired addition in defence, having shown excellent form at Macclesfield last season. Up front, Liam Hearn joined as he bids to revive a career that has nose-dived in recent years due to a succession of serious knee injuries. Hearn was one of the best strikers in the non-league level back in 2011 and 2012 but has struggled badly since then. His quality is still there and may prove an inspired capture if he stays fit. Jack Muldoon is a promising striker and may bring another good option up front. Overall, the squad looks decent and a play-off charge is not completely out of reach. But Moyses does not inspire too much confidence as a manager and Lincoln are likely to settle for a place in the top ten.

Target


Little change in overall squad quality means another finish in lower mid-table.