As 2024 gets underway, LincSport looks back at the highs and lows of the calendar year for Lincoln City and what could be expected in the new year.
In the league… Strong against the strong, weak against the weak:
2023 has seen some high moments at the LNER Stadium. Some excellent performances from the Imps over multiple managements have been recorded against sides that this time two decades ago were in the top-flight of the English football pyramid.
Draws against Derby County, Portsmouth, promoted Ipswich Town and Sheffield Wednesday, as well as Barnsley in the second half of last season showed the potential that the City squad has. Only Peterborough United were able to do the double over City of the sides that finished in the top half of the 2022/23 League One table.
Despite the impressive record against the sides in the top half of the table, the same could not be said for those in the bottom half. Of the sides that were relegated (Accrington Stanley, MK Dons, Morecambe and Forest Green Rovers), the Imps only picked up 11 points out of 24 available, including just two wins out of a potential eight.
Fast forward to the 7th May 2023, and the Imps finish the 2022/23 League One season in a respectable eleventh place. Just inside the top half of the table, with an even goal difference, and ten points better off than the season before.
A season of progress was clear. If a few of the draws were turned into wins, then Imps fans could get excited for a potential play-off push into this season.
2023/24:
An exciting start to the season saw only two defeats in the opening nine league games, including an impressive 3-0 home win over championship-relegated Blackpool. The two defeats coming against current league leaders Portsmouth and high-flying Bolton Wanderers.
Following the dismissal of Mark Kennedy, the club continued to push for results under interim charge of Tom Shaw. After the appointment of current head coach Michael Skubala, the Imps went on a five-match unbeaten run after an opening game defeat at Stevenage.
A squad hampered by injuries, especially in attack, has paused the Imps’ progress this season. Ben House, Tyler Walker, Reeco Hackett, to name a few who have experienced long-term injuries.
LincSport Editor Jamie Johnson says:
“After a mid-table finish last season, Lincoln City have further consolidated their standing in League One. Sitting in ninth place at the back end of 2023, it’s been a solid year for the club in England’s third tier. They have lifted from the seventeenth placed finish from 2021/22, growing gradually and progressively.”
Cup Competitions… a bit of cup magic:
EFL Trophy 2022/23: Quarter Final (Penalty shootout defeat to Accrington Stanley)
FA Cup 2023/24 : Round 1 (1-2 home defeat to Morecambe)
EFL Trophy 2023/24: Round 2 (1-0 defeat at Accrington Stanley)
Carabao Cup 2023/24: Round 3 (1-0 home defeat to West Ham United)
LincSport reporter Finley Smithson recalls one particular cup run:
“One of the highlights of 2023 was Lincoln’s Carabao Cup run. The Imps got to the third round of the competition, beating Premier League Sheffield United. Their reward was a famous night at the LNER Stadium against West Ham United. Despite the 1-0 loss, Lincoln made themselves proud with a strong performance, and were unfortunate not to score.”
The FA Cup however, was a miserable comparison with the disappointing defeat to Morecambe. The Bristol Street Motors Trophy defeat was unfortunate, with a late Accrington Stanley goal in the last minute stopping any progress.
Managerial Change… Mark Kennedy no more:
Some City fans (and former players) would have been a tad confused reading the news on October 18th that Mark Kennedy had been dismissed by the board. The Irishman took charge of over 70 games at the club and was dismissed after a 1-0 loss to Burton Albion at home.
Tom Shaw took over in interim charge for seven games in all competitions, that did see the side crash out of the FA Cup.
Michael Skubala was appointed on November 13th and hasn’t really had time to settle at the club due to a heavy fixture list and injury concerns.
LincSport Editor Jamie Johnson gives his opinion:
“The dismissal of Mark Kennedy shocked me at the time, and I’m still shocked by it. He was doing a steady job, certainly not one worthy of a mid-season sacking. The club had their reasons, even if the fans were left to speculate which of them delivered the final blow.
“Tom Shaw did a solid job as interim head coach, steering a ship through rocky waters while providing a few good results along the way. He laid a bit of groundwork for Michael Skubala, who by his own omission, is taking his time to imprint his style on the team. He has shown bright sparks so far, but we wait to see what 2024 brings.”
Players – Who needs a striker anyway?
The transfer windows of 2023 saw the Imps produce some quality League One signings. Lukas Jensen came in to fill Carl Rushworth’s shoes and has been impressive.
Midfield signings of Ethan Erhahon and Ethan Hamilton have kept the Imps afloat during the turbulent times of this season so far. They have come in and made themselves pivotal to any success that the Imps have had this season.
Injuries have really put any progress being made on pause this season. New signings Reeco Hackett and Tyler Walker have both experienced long-term injuries after being bought in the summer.
Its left the club with very few options up top. Hakeeb Adelakun has looked sub-optimal and is behind youngster Jovon Makama in the pecking order, who himself looks inexperienced and isolated, when playing.
LincSport deputy editor Spencer O’Leary says:
“The impressive business conducted by the club in the summer left a feeling of hope and positivity for an outside push at a play-off place. The signings of the two Ethans in midfield were excellent, and the impressive Carl Rushworth’s spot has been adequately replaced with Lukas Jensen. While the forward signings of Walker and Hackett have been hampered by injury, they have shown moments of quality. We will have to see next year if they really can propel City forward.
“The club’s ability to keep a hold of key players such as last season’s top goal-scorer Ben House and star-man Lasse Sorensen have also proved helpful, despite the former’s injury problems this season.
“As we head into 2024, you can’t help but feel the Imps must dive into the transfer market for at least one, if not two, forwards. Adelakun, Makama and Vale have struggled to find the back of the net, and when you have an on-loan striker who has ten goals to his name at Walsall on your books, it’s hard to not look at him.”
Part two of LincSport’s Imps in Review 2023 will follow next week.