Next Season

[laddo]

If Eli Sam isn't retained or chooses to leave due to inactivity, that would be a terrible outcome for which I would hold IB accountable. I believe so far we've largely wasted one of the most talented players and goal scorers at the club, but hopefully we can still extend his contract and give him the regular starts his ability deserves.

From complete zero to the club's cult hero.

[Rez1862]

I'm still not convinced that Sam is the answer. Far too inconsistent and seems to make the wrong pass/run too frequently. I would not be fussed if he left.

[Rez1862]

The problem with getting NL players in is that you then become an NL team - Did Wrexham & Stockport go out and buy seasoned NL players NO, they brought in players from higher leagues, that is what will get you promoted improving the overall standard not watering it down by bringing in NL players. Most of those players ply their trade the NL for a reason.

Wrexham and Stockport also spent silly money - something the owners, quite rightly, are not willing to do. We've been there before quite recently and it very nearly cost us everything.

[BanjoPie]

Wrexham and Stockport also spent silly money - something the owners, quite rightly, are not willing to do. We've been there before quite recently and it very nearly cost us everything.

I think you may have missed my point, if you buy players experienced in the NL, then you are not really improving your squad - Wrexham & Stockport did buy players from higher leagues and it looked like its worked for them!

[Big Bob]

We won't do anything next season. Let the Wootons, Roberts etc go as they think they're too good for us now Notts have put them in a bit of limelight and now they've 1 eye on the exit door expecting to go to better things. They'll end up bench warmers then back to the lower clubs where they started. We've seen it all before

[Warnocks Legends]

Wooton Checked out on the ago, rodders and Roberts are inconsistent but usually due to being played in wrong position . Sam should stay and be given much more opportunity to shine. Vincent is a no brained he has vigour, desire and an eye for goal but Burchnall won't see it that way. Rawlinson and O'Brien legs are finished so release, I like DKE although many don't. Francis is too negative. I would get in a decent strong old fashioned strikers, a playmaker in midfield, 2 strong defenders, play Vincent , Sam and give knight a chance.

[Rez1862]

I think you may have missed my point, if you buy players experienced in the NL, then you are not really improving your squad - Wrexham & Stockport did buy players from higher leagues and it looked like its worked for them!

Apologies!

Looking at the past couple of years, I don't recall Sutton, Harrogate or Barrow having a squad of ex-FL players. By your argument, another NL club signing Rodders or Cal wouldn't be an improvement on their squad, which they clearly would be for 95% of the clubs in the league.

[MAD_MAGPIE]

Apologies!

Looking at the past couple of years, I don't recall Sutton, Harrogate or Barrow having a squad of ex-FL players. By your argument, another NL club signing Rodders or Cal wouldn't be an improvement on their squad, which they clearly would be for 95% of the clubs in the league.

There is nothing wrong with having a few NL players in the team as long as they are the best at this level and have the experience. Plus if they are below 25 they could move up the leagues.

Let's look at a few of Lincoln's squad as examples of players under 25 who played 40+ games and got them promoted out of this league;

Sam Habergham - Defender. Was part of Norwich's U18's and reserves. Went to Tamworth and spent four years at Braintree before moving to Lincoln. Was 24 at the time.

Sean Raggett - Defender. Part of Gillingham academy and signed for Dover and made 100 appearances. Was 23 at the time. Got signed by Norwich after Lincoln got promoted but went back to Lincoln on loan. Currently at Portsmouth in League One and is an established. This is a perfect example of a radar kind of signing. Giving someone their big break who is going to go up the leagues and who will attract a transfer fee.

Alex Woodyard - Midfielder. Started at Charlton in their youth set up then went to Southend in league two. Spent a season at Dartford, Concord Rangers and Braintree before joining Lincoln and was 23 at the time. Moved to League One Peterborough and currently at AFC Wimbledon in league one.

So signing a 23/24 year old National League player who had had a good education at a higher level is as close to the radar type of signing we've seen. The exception being they would have three or four seasons experience at this level and have that hunger and desire to take their careers to the next level before they get to their peak at 27/28.

[durhampie]

There is nothing wrong with having a few NL players in the team as long as they are the best at this level and have the experience. Plus if they are below 25 they could move up the leagues.

Let's look at a few of Lincoln's squad as examples of players under 25 who played 40+ games and got them promoted out of this league;

Sam Habergham - Defender. Was part of Norwich's U18's and reserves. Went to Tamworth and spent four years at Braintree before moving to Lincoln. Was 24 at the time.

Sean Raggett - Defender. Part of Gillingham academy and signed for Dover and made 100 appearances. Was 23 at the time. Got signed by Norwich after Lincoln got promoted but went back to Lincoln on loan. Currently at Portsmouth in League One and is an established. This is a perfect example of a radar kind of signing. Giving someone their big break who is going to go up the leagues and who will attract a transfer fee.

Alex Woodyard - Midfielder. Started at Charlton in their youth set up then went to Southend in league two. Spent a season at Dartford, Concord Rangers and Braintree before joining Lincoln and was 23 at the time. Moved to League One Peterborough and currently at AFC Wimbledon in league one.

So signing a 23/24 year old National League player who had had a good education at a higher level is as close to the radar type of signing we've seen. The exception being they would have three or four seasons experience at this level and have that hunger and desire to take their careers to the next level before they get to their peak at 27/28.

Whoever we sign he needs to be a minimum of at least 5.10in plus , regardless of what position. This league is not suitable for midgets...

[uysapie]

Whoever we sign he needs to be a minimum of at least 5.10in plus , regardless of what position. This league is not suitable for midgets...

Assuming that a coach/manager knows how to use them.