Stickied League 2 Transfer Rumours/Confirmed Transfers 2023/24

[Luke Imp]

Good question, Lew.

My main concerns, if you like, are over Farman who is good shot stopper but has never been overly commanding from set pieces/crosses even in the NL. Like any step up, you need to add bits to you game and become a better all round player. Long at RB because I don't think he's solid enough (admittedly he's not had too much game time here but he'll be the weakest player in the back four).

Will be interesting to see how Arnold gets on. He deserves a crack at the FL IMO but I'm not expecting him to get into double figures from the wing like last season. He was really good for us last season but his form dipped - we over-used him because he was important but he was fighting a few demons (see here - http://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/it-crippling-me-lincoln-citys-171601).

Only three of last seasons squad who were out of contract have signed new deals (Farman, Waterfall and Howe (3rd, maybe 4th choice CB)), although we've brought Knott (signed on loan in January), Ginnelly (signed on loan in January) and now Anderson (two loans spells) back so we'll end up with 12 or so of last seasons squad with us, so circa 8 'new' faces.

I'd like to think we'll be more Grimsby than Cheltenham this season. I think you lot losing a few players last summer probably helped you and was a blessing in disguise because generally clubs end up shedding their NL players quickly. York seemed to keep a lot of their promotion squad and were in trouble the first year and likewise Mansfield.

There's the recent odd anomaly (Bristol Rovers) but by and large, you probably need a 50/50 split between existing and new players to ensure a bit of stability whilst making sure you increase quality within the squad.

EDIT - I might be wide of the mark with that because I'd never seen Lincoln promoted until last season but know L2 having spent most of my time supporting Lincoln in it.

 

[FGRJC]

Lincoln aren't going for they don't have any money or a big budget guys come on.

 

[Luke Imp]

*copy and paste*

 

[mtfc26]

Will be interesting to see how the manager makes the step up as well. He has taken everything in his stride to this point but he playing style aside you can draw comparisons with Paul Cox and he just lost the plot completely and was way out of his depth although he has now bounced back a bit.

Hopefully for you guys Cowley will hold it together but I think some underestimate the step up for managers as well as players. Think he has been shrewd in the market and all credit to him for that so interesting times ahead.

 

[dedwardp]

Signed Mikael Mandron from Wigan on a two-year deal.

 

[GodsGift]

Kayden Jackson has signed for Accrington.

 

[Never Mind The Paul Cox]

Lincoln signing a fair few wingers it seems.....will Nathan Arnold be ousted due to this?

Got to feel sorry for him, he's reliable and always seems to do a job for a team to get them promoted back into the League (Cambridge, Grimsby and Lincoln) but then immediately gets let go and finds himself back at another Conference club vying for promotion again.

 

[GTFCfish]

Lincoln signing a fair few wingers it seems.....will Nathan Arnold be ousted due to this?

Got to feel sorry for him, he's reliable and always seems to do a job for a team to get them promoted back into the League (Cambridge, Grimsby and Lincoln) but then immediately gets let go and finds himself back at another Conference club vying for promotion again.

He was offered a 1 year deal here but turned it down as there were rumours he was in talks with a League 1 club (which obviously fell through).
He then asked Hurst if he could sign it but Hurst said no as he'd already signed some wingers and so he then ended up at Lincoln.
I agree that he does deserve a crack at League football though and hope he isn't pushed down the pecking order there.

 

[gijsbert_bos]

Lincoln signing a fair few wingers it seems.....will Nathan Arnold be ousted due to this?

Got to feel sorry for him, he's reliable and always seems to do a job for a team to get them promoted back into the League (Cambridge, Grimsby and Lincoln) but then immediately gets let go and finds himself back at another Conference club vying for promotion again.

Cowley works the wingers pretty hard; a lot of pressing and they;re expected to run around like lunatics for the whole time they're on the pitch. We had 4 at any one time last year with Arnold and Hawkridge permanent and Ginnelly, Ward and Anderson on loan. Also probably used Muldoon there once or twice. I don't think Arnold will be shipped out.

 

[gijsbert_bos]

I think he, JMD and Anderson will be fighting for 2 starting slots, with Ginnelly mostly being used from the bench.

 

[Gashead]

Will be interesting to see how the manager makes the step up as well. He has taken everything in his stride to this point but he playing style aside you can draw comparisons with Paul Cox and he just lost the plot completely and was way out of his depth although he has now bounced back a bit.

Hopefully for you guys Cowley will hold it together but I think some underestimate the step up for managers as well as players. Think he has been shrewd in the market and all credit to him for that so interesting times ahead.

Look at his initials and I think a better comparison re: managers promoted from the NL is on the table!

Top signing/s by Lincoln to be fair, Maguire-Drew especially is someone I'd have taken at Rovers. Nothing won on paper but if Cowley can retain the same spirit and determination from last year despite a few leaving, then it's looking good for them..

 

[Vanni]

Richard Money didn't rate Arnold so he shipped him out, and I fully believe he was right to do so. I know it's exciting seeing a player running down the line but not when he puts his head down and doesn't even see where his team mates are.

I know he had better luck up at Grimsby, and even more so at Lincoln, but unless he's improved a lot then I don't reckon he's a league player, except perhaps with a bottom 4 club. IOW, he's certainly not good enough for an ambitious side like Lincoln even though that may sound harsh and by all accounts Arnold's a good egg. Having said that, I acknowledge that some players do improve beyond recognition so it's still possible for Nathan to do likewise.

Ps - I like this bit on his wiki page, on his time with us - ''It was a compliment to the squad overall that the likes of Arnold and Delano Sam Yorke amongst others found themselves on the sub's bench on many occasions."

 

[gijsbert_bos]

I don;t think I'd put Arnold down as a 'head down and run' type player. Sounds like he's improved or matured a lot since he was with you.

 

[PaulHaddock]

Yeah Arnold definitely wasn't an 'all-pace, NEP' when with us. Very two-footed and could've been good down the middle (though not as a forward).

 

[Vanni]

Yeah, could be. Two/three years time is a lot of time in footy. Also, tbf, most of his appearances when he was here came from the bench, at a time when the opposition's back four would be tiring, so it's plausible that he was only following instructions.

I've got nothing against the guy - people who've met him all say he's a good one - so I'll be happy for him if he proves me wrong.

 

[GodsGift]

I've had this discussion before, but what even is a "league player"? It's the same as saying someone isn't "international football standard". It's complete malarkey.

If Arnold scores between 5-8 goals from the wing, as I'd expect him to, as well as all the pressing the Cowleys like him to do so much, then will that make him a "league player"?

 

[Kenneth E End]

I've had this discussion before, but what even is a "league player"? It's the same as saying someone isn't "international football standard". It's complete malarkey.

If Arnold scores between 5-8 goals from the wing, as I'd expect him to, then will that make him a "league player"?

This. I hate the saying "Player X is a League 1 player." If he's playing at whatever level, he is a player at that level. Nothing more or less.

 

[Kenneth E End]

So Luton fans, is this Sibbald transfer on or off?

 

[The Terminator]

Any Accrington fans reckon that Rommy Boco still has it in him, seeing as we've just signed him?!

Some good signings in this window for Lincoln - even Ollie Palmer has his uses as an impact player, just don't expect 20 goals!

 

[Vanni]

I've had this discussion before, but what even is a "league player"? It's the same as saying someone isn't "international football standard". It's complete malarkey.

If Arnold scores between 5-8 goals from the wing, as I'd expect him to, as well as all the pressing the Cowleys like him to do so much, then will that make him a "league player"?

I would think it is pretty obvious what a league player is. Any player who is comfortable enough playing league footy and doesn't look out of place. We kept faith with the squad that got us promoted, and after a couple of months all of us could see that at least 3 or 4 of them were nowhere near league standard. For instance, if that RB (who was decent enough down in the connie) is now being continually torn apart by L2 wingers then it's clear he's not league standard, and therefore not a league player.

Now I don't know how many players from last season's title winning squad will feature in Lincoln's upcoming L2 campaign, but I'm sure that the Lincoln fans and the Cowleys will easily spot any players who appear to be struggling against much stronger opponents. In Lincoln's case, I would expect any not-good-enough players to lose their place during January's transfer window.

 

[Vanni]

This. I hate the saying "Player X is a League 1 player." If he's playing at whatever level, he is a player at that level. Nothing more or less.

I don't think that many Luton fans claim that Stuart Moore is L2 standard Kenny.

 

[Judge Dredd]

So Luton fans, is this Sibbald transfer on or off?

Delayed until he is fit enough to trial properly seems to be the gist of it.

Bit uncomfortable with the idea that we aren't completely sure about him and feel the need to see him in a trial before committing one way or the other given the alleged fee that will be involved. You'd hope that if we pay that kind of money we'd have thoroughly scouted him and not need to see him play against Hitchin or Borehamwood in a friendly before making a decision.

 

[Hamez]

FWIW, I think Arnold will be fine in League 2. Not a dig at Notts at all here but I'd rather have him than Hawkridge.

 

[Son of Cod]

Have honestly never heard of this Boswick. Judging by the fact that none of them actually know where he plays, I don't think any of the Lincoln fans have either? Also, I heard Cowley doesn't spend big so he probably didn't cost anywhere near what people are saying.

"What a signing!! Where does he play again?"

 

[Imp in Branston]

FWIW, I think Arnold will be fine in League 2. Not a dig at Notts at all here but I'd rather have him than Hawkridge.

As has been said a few times, the likes of Hawkridge, Power and Muldoon were offered contracts that were basically valuing them as mostly squad players for the coming season. Hawkridge always did well when he came into the team but was mostly still a bit part player. No real surprise any of the ones offered these terms didn't accept them so good luck to them all for moving on and finding clubs. Arnold ran himself into the ground along with the majority of the side after playing so many games in that hectic last few months. I fully expect we will still see Nathan causing defences plenty of problems in League Two.

 

[mowgli]

Midfielder Marcus Bean has signed for another season,he did bugger all until the last month when his contract was coming to an end,one day he might actually pass to another player in light and dark blue quarters but i won't put money on it.

 

[Posh Hammer]

Just going to give you all a little more of an insight into Bostwick.

First of all to the Swindon fan who said he was rubbish against them and ended up on loan at Northampton, I think you're getting confused. Bostwick never went on loan anywhere. The only player I can think you may be thinking about is Beautyman who we sold to Northampton last summer.

Bossie can play Centre Back on Central Midfield. His best position is probably Centre Mid. He works very hard and always gave 100%, so the fans think highly of him. However, he is incredibly slow and has the turning circle of the titanic. I remember the first 12 months he was here, the majority of fans thought it was the worst money we had ever spent but eventually he came good and has been very consistent over the past 2 years.

He was transfer listed due to the club policy of putting anyone who is entering the last year of their contract on the list.

He was our player of the season last year but he isn't in the managers plans next year as we have brought Doughty from QPR wh will play alongside Chris Forrester in Midfield. Bostwick is also behind Baldwin and Taffazoli in terms of Centre Backs so it made sense.

Will we miss him? Yes, I think we will.
Does he make Lincoln into a title winning team? Absolutely not. Yes, he's a solid player but he's not a world beater.
Have they got a decent player? Yes.

 

[SamScfc]

Just going to give you all a little more of an insight into Bostwick.

First of all to the Swindon fan who said he was rubbish against them and ended up on loan at Northampton, I think you're getting confused. Bostwick never went on loan anywhere. The only player I can think you may be thinking about is Beautyman who we sold to Northampton last summer.

Bossie can play Centre Back on Central Midfield. His best position is probably Centre Mid. He works very hard and always gave 100%, so the fans think highly of him. However, he is incredibly slow and has the turning circle of the titanic. I remember the first 12 months he was here, the majority of fans thought it was the worst money we had ever spent but eventually he came good and has been very consistent over the past 2 years.

He was transfer listed due to the club policy of putting anyone who is entering the last year of their contract on the list.

He was our player of the season last year but he isn't in the managers plans next year as we have brought Doughty from QPR wh will play alongside Chris Forrester in Midfield. Bostwick is also behind Baldwin and Taffazoli in terms of Centre Backs so it made sense.

Will we miss him? Yes, I think we will.
Does he make Lincoln into a title winning team? Absolutely not. Yes, he's a solid player but he's not a world beater.
Have they got a decent player? Yes.

Does MacAnthony get any stick from Posh fans? I think he's got good principles and there are certain things to admire about him but he also makes himself look like a div, talks a lot about promotion but seem to be going backwards.

 

[Hatter86]

Delayed until he is fit enough to trial properly seems to be the gist of it.

Bit uncomfortable with the idea that we aren't completely sure about him and feel the need to see him in a trial before committing one way or the other given the alleged fee that will be involved. You'd hope that if we pay that kind of money we'd have thoroughly scouted him and not need to see him play against Hitchin or Borehamwood in a friendly before making a decision.

I'm leaning towards it no happening currently. He's not in the starting eleven against Borehamwood today however he could be on the bench. He could also not yet be fit. It all seems to have gone a bit quiet.

It's a shame as, although I thought we were set, I do now think we could do with another midfielder. McCormack, Pelly, D'Ath and Shinnie is a quality midfield, however Im lest confident about Bakinson, Lee, Gambin, Cook as back up. I suppose Rea might play CM a bit more now Cuthbert, Sheehan, and Mullins are all available, plus Famewo and Musonda back in the fold. Reckon we could do with one more quality signing though.

**Edit**

No Sibbald on the bench, so either still not fit or not happening.

Also no Sheehan, Rea, JJ or Elliot Lee in today's squad. Or Hylton, obviously. McQuoid weirdly is...

 

[CCFC_Charlie]

Sounds like we're likely to offer contracts to James Pearson and young Irish striker Greg Moorhouse who've both done well on trial