Recent Lincoln City evidence points to one thing - Reading FC, Bolton success only fuel that | OneFootball

Lincoln City will finish in mid-table this season, but they have shown signs that they could build on their standing ahead of the next campaign.

Lincoln City will finish in mid-table this season, but they have shown signs that they could build on their standing ahead of the next campaign.

The Imps flirted with the play-offs 12 months ago, while their 2024/25 season has not quite reached the same heights with it instead being bogged down with a lack of goalscoring and poor results coming in bursts.

Sitting in 11th with two games to go, Lincoln could sneak into the top ten when the curtain falls on another term in the third tier, though Michael Skubala’s men will not be able to repeat their seventh-placed finish last season.

Lincoln City showing positive signs for next season

With recent wins over play-off hopefuls Reading and Bolton Wanderers over the Easter weekend, Lincoln have provided evidence to suggest that they can challenge next term.

The Imps are now unbeaten in five games, drawing with high-flying Charlton Athletic alongside a win over another of the play-off chasing outfits in the form of Huddersfield Town.

Their only blip was a sharing of the points with bottom side Shrewsbury Town, who lived to fight for only another few days after taking a draw back with them from the LNER Stadium.

However, this overall run of results, and the list of teams they have beaten over recent games shows signs that Lincoln could be amongst similar company next term. It is proof that City could be a challenger among the usual cast of play-off contenders.

Laying the groundwork for a repeat of 2023/24

Joe Taylor had inspired Lincoln to a late dart for the play-offs last season after his January loan move from Luton Town.

The striker scored ten Sky Bet League One goals in the second half of the campaign, leaving the Imps just one win away from gatecrashing the top six with a stellar unbeaten streak.

Final day defeat to the then-already-crowned champions Portsmouth put an end to that particular dash for the play-offs, but the groundwork has now been laid for a repeat next season.

There is a real positive to be taken from the knowledge that Lincoln continue to beat those teams just above them in the table - the ones battling for the play-off places.

If this can be used as a springboard for next season, then there is reason to believe the Imps could force themselves back into the conversation for a spot in the top six.

Michael Skubala giving Imps chance to prove themselves

It is optimistic too, that over recent games, Imps head coach Skubala has been willing to spread the minutes around his squad, giving opportunities to the players who will perhaps most likely be wearing Lincoln colours after the summer transfer window.

Young Zane Okoro, who is a prospect of the City academy, has been given his first league minutes, while the likes of Swedish wide-man Erik Ring has been afforded a chance to break through his fringe player status to start and score against Bolton.

The former Leeds United under-21s boss is laying the groundwork for the 2025/26 campaign, allowing his squad to stake their claim for a place in his thinking.

If recent form is anything to go by, Lincoln