While this season did not have the thrilling climax that we were glued to last season, it has been a necessary year of solidity for Lincoln City.
The Linc take a look back at the highs, lows and what could be done to help propel the Imps back towards the dizzy heights of the Sky Bet League One play-offs.
A settled improvement:
City’s campaign in the 2024/25 season needs to be analysed with context. It was always going to be a tall order to replicate the staggering end of season form which gave us all that hope of being a potential challenger this season.
With the arrivals of the Hollywood-owned Wrexham and the Tom Brady-backed Birmingham City, the competition was immediately stronger. Combined with Stockport County, a revitalised Huddersfield Town, and the regular play-off contenders almost half of the league genuinely believed they could go up.
A strong start to the season, going seven unbeaten through from August to mid-October, made the summer loss of Joe Taylor seem like nothing. Then the inevitable Christmas drop came.
Any anticipation of a play-off push was swept aside after winning only one of the 12 games through the festive season, and that was in October. So does it even really count?
Head coach Michael Skubala experimented with his squad through systems and personnel, but struggled to turn that form around.
An overall finish of 11th to some could read for negative viewing, four places lower and 13 points behind, and a point off an overall finish from previous head coach Mark Kennedy.
However, it could also be suggested that in a season with such runaway leaders and financial bullies operating, the club is still performing above its expectations. While finishing in a lower position, it is still the joint-second best finish in over 40 years and has not felt like the squad has gone backwards.
The Linc sports reporter Finley Smithson gives his views on the season.
He said: “Overall, it has been an underwhelming season after the play-off drama last season. There was high expectations going into the season but considering the difficulty of the league this could be understandable. While there was a Christmas period to forget, Skubala’s side have undoubtedly had some more matches to remember, such as the 5-1 drubbing of Peterborough United, and their 3-0 win away to Mansfield Town.
“City did find some success in the FA Cup, more so than in recent years, with a dominant 4-0 win over Chesham met by an incredible 4-3 comeback against Crawley Town away from home, with the end of the run only coming to the hands of record-breaking Birmingham.”
Squad: The Lincoln City ‘model’
City’s transfer philosophy has been said to want to buy players at a young age, develop them, before selling them on for higher fees in the future. This was maintained with players such as Zach Jeacock, JJ McKiernan and Rob Street, all signed on long-term deals with an eye on the future.
All three experienced loans at some point during the season, as supporters cried out for some more experienced heads during the poor festive season.
The signing of 33-year-old Tendayi Darikwa also proved to be a successful one, with the defender picking up both player of the year and players’ player of the year, as well as James Collins, who entered proceedings and managed to help the Imps push through their sluggish form.
Dom Jefferies and Tom Bayliss have flirted with becoming first team regulars, however, injury have hit both during parts of the season.
Finally, Nottingham Forest’s Joe Gardner was taken in by the Imps after his dramatic start to his time on loan at the club, being sent off after just four minutes, for a tackle in front of the Cambridge United bench.
While the 19-year-old was seen in tears leaving the pitch, his recovery has been impressive, becoming an exciting impact off the bench on most occasions since.
The Linc sports editor Jamie Johnson gives his thoughts on the summer ahead:
“This summer is a big one for Lincoln City, with it looking likely that a number of the club’s top stars will move onto pastures new. In attacking areas, especially with the return of Doncaster Rovers loanee Rob Street, Lincoln are more than capable of hunting down the top League One teams.
“But, defensively they need much improvement, more so if the aforementioned names do not return to the LNER Stadium in August.”
What would be an improvement next season?
While every year, fans across the country label the summer break as a “big one” for their respective clubs, this summer those behind the scenes at City do have some work to do. It is highly likely that the spine of the team will look different by the time League One football returns in August.
Club captain Paudie O’Connor, as well as defensive partners Adam Jackson and Sean Roughan are out of contract at the end of June, with midfielder Ethan Erhahon continually linked with a move away.
Ben House and Sam Clucas are also out of contract, but the club do have a one-year extension options for both.
Deputy sports editor Spencer O’Leary give his views on what is to come next:
“Those who depart will obviously need to be replaced. Into next season, City look strong going forward, especially if the likes of Jovon Makama and Erik Ring can re-find their end of season form in August. However, defensive signings you feel would need to be made, especially if O’Connor and Roughan both depart.
“If they can be replaced sufficiently, then the club will find themselves in a very healthy position. The attacking power is enough to score goals past any League One defence, and City will want to look for at least a top half finish, if not a little play-off push too.”
Scubby, hasn’t got it for me. I know he is working on a tight budget, but we’re a million miles away from last season .
Moylan is our key for me, the best player by a country mile. But used as a sub for man6 games.
His skill, ripped Barnsley apart last season. He has so much talent, but Scubby doesn’t start him, why?