There is a definite air of optimism amongst Lincoln City supporters right now, with a nice little unbeaten run of form continuing, a very tasty big cup tie to look forward to at Sincil Bank, as well as some smart looking business done at the tail end of the transfer window to bolster the squad and give fans some genuine hope that we can push on in the league and be very competitive this season.

I wrote my last post just prior to our trip to Bolton Wanderers and since that match we’ve had a further three games and several additions to the playing squad, so there is quite a bit to catch up on.

It always looked like the Bolton game would be our toughest test to date this season and that proved to be the case. The teams shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw, with the goals being scored almost as early and then as late as it is possible to do in a match. To an extent I can understand there being some disappointment amongst fans about us relinquishing the lead so late in the game, but in the context of the match City were put under the cosh for much of the game and were arguably fortunate to get away with a point.

If things had panned out the other way around and it was City scrambling a late equaliser after being behind for the entire game, we would no doubt have been eulogising about a brilliant point gained. I would have taken a point from the fixture if you’d offered it to me before kick-off – I expect Bolton to be right up there in the thick of the promotion mix come the end of the season – so I was happy to receive that result and move on.

The following Tuesday took us to Burton Albion for our 2nd Round tie in the Carabao Cup. Two of our new recruits, Ivan Varfolomeev and Frankie Okoronkwo, came into the side to make their debut for the Imps, along with starts for Zane Okoro and Erik Ring, as Michael Skubala utilised his squad where he could.

The less said about the first half of the game the better, as it was a bit of a non-event with neither team really creating too much of credit. The second half was a different story – both teams took a much more positive approach, with City creating the better of the chances and looking more likely to take the lead. This was only enhanced when we made a quadruple substitution with around 20 minutes to play, bringing on Collins, Draper, Hackett and McGrandles.

However, it was late substitute, Ben House, who ended up being the match winner after coming on with just five minutes to play. Following some great work by Frankie Okoronkwo, Draper played a ball into House on the left edge of the penalty area, and he exquisitely curled a first-time shot beyond the Burton keeper into the far corner of the net. It was a cracking finish and well worthy of winning any football match. Hopefully it can prove to be a catalyst for Ben House himself, and he can reclaim the sort of form we’ve previously seen from him after the disappointments of last season.

In terms of the new boys, I thought Ivan Varfolomeev looked energetic in midfield and put in a solid performance, although he was probably a little too eager at times. This was highlighted when he came on as a substitute on Saturday against Mansfield and struggled, getting caught out of position a couple of times. It is understandable given his age and desire to impress at a new club in a new country, but there is definitely lots of potential to work with. Frankie Okoronkwo struggled to get involved during the first half against Burton, but I thought he was arguably City’s best player during the second half. He has an assured touch, was willing and accomplished when he needed to track back, and he did brilliantly to help pre-assist with the goal.

Of course, that win against Burton put City into the hat for the 3rd Round draw of the Carabao Cup, which took place the following evening. The result, as we all know, is a plum tie at home against recent World Club Cup winners, Chelsea. I tend to believe we never seem to get a decent draw in cup competitions but in recent years we have played Everton, Liverpool and West Ham, so we’ve actually not done too bad all things considering. It will be interesting to see which players from their star-studded squad we get to see gracing Sincil Bank later this month and hopefully the Imps can create some headlines with a cup shock.

Prior to last Saturday’s game at home to Mansfield Town, we heard about the sad passing of two former Imps – Ron Harbertson, the president of City’s Former Players Association, and Steve Thompson, who both played for and managed the club. I can’t confess to knowing too much about Ron Harbertson, but Steve Thompson is someone I recall fondly from my early years as a City supporter, as well through hearing my dad’s considerable praise of him over the years.

By the time Thommo re-signed as a player for Lincoln in the 1989/90 season, I had been going to games regularly for a couple of years. My memories of him from that spell are pretty vague (I was only ten years old at the time), so it is as the City manager that I specifically remember him. My dad always said that the central defensive partnership of Trevor Peake alongside Steve Thompson in the early 1980’s was the best he ever witnessed in all his years as an Imps fan so that is some crown to wear in my eyes. My dad was also a regular listener of Radio Lincolnshire’s coverage of away games and was particularly enamoured with Thommo when he worked as a summariser, often re-telling me snippets of his content and some of the little gems he would come out with during his commentary.

As for City’s match with Mansfield, my abiding memory of it will unfortunately be more about the appalling performance of the referee than the players in red and white. I don’t want to dwell on it too much, but it is difficult to reflect on the game without considering the impact Mr Bannister had on it. It’s fair to say that my afternoon involved a significant amount of choice words being screamed in the direction of the man in the middle.

I thought the Imps started the game really brightly, deservedly took the lead, and were in complete control and looking likely to win comfortably until Bradley’s sending off after half an hour. In my opinion it’s a very harsh decision. Although the offside Mansfield player doesn’t touch the ball, he clearly interferes with play as he prevents McGrandles from covering the run being made by Town’s George Maris as he latches onto the loose ball. It’s obviously a foul by Sonny Bradley but there is nothing malicious in it and I felt Towler was providing cover as he came across from left back and Bayliss was also tracking back to help prevent Maris having a clear opportunity to score.

From then on it basically felt like a game of 12 v 10 as the referee seemed to double down in the face of the increasingly hostile abuse he began receiving from the City fans with each (poor) decision he made. In addition to the red card awarded to Bradley, six yellow cards were dished out to City players, as well as two of the coaching staff, including Michael Skubala, in a game where I can’t recall a bad challenge.

The one positive element was the fury the referee invoked in the City supporters created an incredible atmosphere within Sincil Bank as we backed our boys to the hilt. In the circumstances, I thought the players put in a cracking performance and it was just a shame that they were not able to hold out for the win, as Mansfield finally made their numerical advantage pay when they equalised with ten minutes left to play.

All eyes then turned to Monday and the final day of the transfer window as City fans waited expectantly to see if there would be any further incomings, and we certainly weren’t to be disappointed. As well as the signings of Ivan Varfolomeev and Frankie Okoronkwo (on loan for the season from Everton) in the previous week, we had also seen the arrival of Oscar Thorn from Colchester United and the departure of Ethan Hamilton to Dundee. I have to say the sale of Hamilton was something of a surprise to me as I thought he would be a very useful squad player, but I can understand his desire to move elsewhere seeking more regular game time.

We finally got the signing of a left back that pretty much every Imps supporter has been craving since the start of the summer with the arrival of Adam Reach. It looks like a really good piece of business to get someone of his pedigree in. The squad was then further bolstered as we saw further loan signings in the form of midfielder Fin Barbrook from Ipswich Town, striker Justin Obikwu brought in from Coventry City and full back Dexter Lembikisa from Wolves. The hugely talented Zane Okoro has been sent out on loan to hopefully gain lots of game-time experience and help his potential to progress, which he most likely would have struggled to get had he remained at Sincil Bank.

Looking at our finalised squad, it certainly fills me with confidence that we are in a position to really push on and improve from last season. When you think about the key players that have departed since the end of last season – our captain, Paudie O’Connor, the ever-present Sean Roughan, and then Ethan Erhahon and Jovon Makama in big money moves – to then feel like we have strengthened is a credit to the often-maligned recruitment team and club model.

We have already seen in the first few weeks of the season Sonny Bradley and Ryley Towler seamlessly replacing the two defenders we lost. Now we also have Adam Reach in addition, who immediately made his debut on Tuesday night in our convincing 3-0 victory over Notts County in the EFL Trophy. Fin Barbrook and Oscar Thorn also started that game and both were very impressive.

Running an eye across our squad, I can’t help but feel positive about our chances to improve this season. George Wickens is looking much more commanding of his box so far this season and his distribution is improving, with Zach Jeacock looking equally assured when he has started in our cup games. Last season’s player of the year, Tendayi Darikwa, has continued where he left off and, if anything, even improved as our newly installed captain, leading by example and setting the tone for our efforts to press the opposition. Tom Hamer has been imperious alongside Sonny Bradley at centre half since getting his chance in the starting eleven, with Adam Jackson and Lewis Montsma providing excellent cover in that position.

In midfield, Connor McGrandles has started the season impressively after being the brunt of a fair amount of criticism last year, and Tom Bayliss has also been excellent alongside him in the centre of midfield. Ivan Varfolomeev, who is currently on international duty with Ukraine U21’s, has been brought in for a relatively big fee to replace Ethan Erahahon and the club clearly have high hopes that he will develop into a top player. Following the departure of Ethan Hamilton, youngster Fin Barbrook adds some good depth to that department, as does the versatile Dom Jefferies, who is on the comeback from injury.

Our attacking options, both centrally and out wide, suddenly feel substantial. James Collins was a superb signing last January and feels like an absolute guarantee of goals at this level. Freddie Draper seems to have come on in leaps and bounds over the summer. He looks leaner and fitter than last season, is scoring goals and looking a general menace to opposition defences. This could be a real breakthrough season for him after rarely threatening to show his undoubted potential last year. Rob Street has returned from his successful loan spell at Doncaster Rovers and is now getting his chance in the starting eleven with City, predominantly from a wide right position. He was the subject of a substantial late bid towards the end of the transfer window, but the fact the club turned it down highlights not only our ambitions for this season but just how much we rate him and the potential he has to improve further.

Ben House has returned from injury with a couple of goals in cup games, which will be a good confidence booster for him. With the current form of other strikers, he may find his opportunities a little more limited this season, although the lengthy injury Jack Moylan sustained against Harrogate Town may see House have chances in the role behind the main striker while Jack regains fitness. Reeco Hackett could also fill in in that position or alternatively be utilised on either flank, so he provides excellent versatility. If he can add more consistency to his game then he is a real asset.

New arrival, Oscar Thorn, appears to be a direct replacement for the departed Jovon Makama out wide on the right. He looked excellent against Notts County, and it seems clear that while he has been brought into the club because of his potential to improve, the management think he is capable of making an immediate impression on the first team squad. Erik Ring, another wide attacker, is taking a while to settle since being signed from his native Sweden last season but is also a player of definite potential. It remains to be seen if that potential will be fulfilled while at Sincil Bank and this feels like a big season for him where he needs to step up and showcase his ability or his time here may be short-lived.

Finally, there are the two attacking players that we have brought in on loan to add some further depth to our munitions up front. As previously mentioned, I thought Frankie Okoronkwo looked very good in the game against Burton Albion and he may well get some regular opportunities off the bench at least in the wide left position. Justin Obikwu has immediately gone on international duty, so it may be a little while until he is fully integrated. He had a successful loan spell at Grimsby last season marred by some injury issues. It will be interesting to see what opportunities he manages to get as he vies for a slot in the team with several other members of the squad.

A final comment (for now) regarding our squad and our chances this season. While it is still clear that the club has a specific model in terms of bringing in young talent with the potential to improve and subsequently aiming to sell them on for a profit, there has been an obvious shift recognising the importance of having more experienced heads within the squad. Tendayi Darikwa was brought in last summer, followed by James Collins in January. Sonny Bradley and now Adam Reach have arrived in this window.

Previously, City have been talked about glowingly as having a young squad with plenty of potential. That element remains, but now we have some seasoned professionals alongside that who can pass on their experience and wisdom and help the younger players to develop even more. We’ve had some tough moments in recent games, but we don’t look like a young team that is going to wilt under pressure – we look like a team that will dig in when required, utilise the experienced players we now have and fight for the points. It all looks very promising for a push towards those play-off places this season if you ask me.

Hopefully now that I’ve said all that, City will continue their good run of form in their latest home game against Wigan on Saturday. Our opponents have made a solid rather than spectacular start to the season, winning two, drawing two and suffering two defeats in the league so far. It was a very tame 0-0 draw between the two sides at Sincil Bank last season in an early kick off if memory serves me right. The reverse fixture last season also ended in a point apiece when it finished 1-1. I expect City to have more attacking impetus in this fixture and gain the three points to continue our good start to the 2025/26 season.