Lincoln City manager Chris Cohen says the club will discuss using the Lincolnshire County Cup to give first-team players competitive minutes. The move would address a shortage of game time for fringe squad members, with the club not competing in the EFL Trophy this season.
Cohen admitted the issue needs to be addressed with the club's hierarchy. "I think we need to probably address it with Jez and Liam and see what direction the club want to go down," he said. The Imps have a larger senior squad this term, and the traditional route of using the County Cup for under-18s may be reconsidered.
Cup history and future
Lincoln City have won the County Cup 38 times, a record they share with Grimsby Town. Their last victory came in 2014, and they have only lifted the trophy three times since the turn of the century. The competition has historic significance for the club, which was formed in 1884 with the aim of winning it. Past ties have included memorable, fiery encounters, such as a game against Lincoln Moorlands that ended in a brawl around the year 2000.
With a competitive Championship schedule, managing player fitness is key. Cohen's side sit 12th in the table with 11 points from eight games. Their recent form shows two wins, one draw and two defeats from their last five outings. The manager also plans to arrange friendlies during the upcoming international break to keep players sharp. The next league fixture is away to Sheffield United on 10 October.
"If there’s opportunity for players to get minutes in games that are competitive and we’ve got players that need those minutes, then yeah, we would utilise it normally," Cohen added. No final decision has been made, but senior involvement in the cup remains a possibility. Lincoln have been drawn to face Spalding United, who are performing well in the National League North, in the next round.
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