Lincoln City have earned significant praise from the respected Not the Top 20 podcast for their solid start to life in the Championship. The analysis, reported by staceywest.net this week, highlighted the Imps' performance in a 1-1 draw with Southampton as particularly impressive.
George Elek, an Oxford United supporter and co-host, was clear in his assessment. "Lincoln were by far the better team in the first half," Elek said. He added, "They had loads of chances to score but couldn’t take any of them." Despite failing to convert that dominance, Lincoln continued to press and ultimately got their reward through a late equaliser.
How did the Southampton match unfold?
Southampton took the lead against the run of play with a spectacular 30-yard strike from Wellington that found the top corner. Lincoln City refused to be deterred and kept creating opportunities. New signing Mikkel Ladefoged eventually headed home from a Hackett cross to secure a point that the hosts thoroughly deserved. Scienza came agonisingly close to scoring earlier, hitting both posts with one effort from the left side.
The podcast hosts suggested Southampton likely left Sincil Bank with a newfound respect for Lincoln, content with a point after conceding late. This result contributed to Lincoln's current league standing of 18th in the Championship, with five points from their opening five matches. Their record shows one win, two draws, and two losses, with a recent form of DDWLL.
What are the key takeaways from the early season?
Ali Maxwell, the other NTT20 host, outlined areas where Lincoln might need to develop further with the step up in quality. The start has been positive. The team has demonstrated an ability to create chances at this higher level with their established style of play. Defensively, after some early struggles, they have been solid, conceding only one goal in their last three matches. That solitary goal was Wellington's long-range effort.
With four goals scored and six conceded, Lincoln's goal difference stands at -2. They currently sit six points behind early leaders Swansea City, showing the competitive nature of the division. The full standings illustrate the tight battle at this stage of the season.
Is five points from five games a good return?
While the podcast was complimentary, they also provided context. Five points from five games projects to a 46-point season, which is historically relegation form. This shows the challenge ahead but also the room for growth. The recognition from impartial and informed observers like the NTT20 team is a positive sign that Lincoln have arrived in the Championship ready to compete.
The Imps have turned up with, as the podcast described it, swords and shields ready for the battle. There is a long way to go, but the foundation laid in these early games is encouraging. Fans can track the team's progress and individual contributions through our detailed stats page.
What comes next for Lincoln City?
The immediate focus shifts to the next Championship fixture. Lincoln City travel to face Preston North End on Saturday, September 12th. Preston currently occupy 23rd place in the table, making it an important match for both sides. You can view the complete schedule on our fixtures page. Securing a positive result at Deepdale would be another significant step in consolidating their Championship status.
