Conclusion

There is a point to this article, it isn’t just a list of players that Lincoln could sign. It’s a list of players that we’re likely to have cast our eyes over, assessing the options, and what would be the outcome? Three, perhaps, from a list of 14, that would fit our cost structure. Of those three, I can’t tell what they’re like as a person or a player; knowing how strict we are in terms of personality and how we play, you might think one or two at best would fit us. That’s the best-case scenario, then you must consider fitness, how long the player wants to remain here and how that might impact our January business.

The hard truth is this; just signing a free agent with experience isn’t that easy at all. If anything, I could see an older player coming in who wishes to have a career in coaching as well, looking to learn for a short spell from Michael. Other than that, I don’t see an obvious choice, other than a few filler players who might give our existing squad a break, but who wouldn’t be part of the plans after January and therefore, could simply be a money pit. It’s much harder in reality to bag a free agent than some seem to think.

There are others on the world list who I suppose could be considered, but are unlikely; Simon Cox has lots of experience here in the UK, but last played in Australia, he’s the sort of player hard to pick up on a list like this. There may be options out there from Ireland, or Englishmen who played in Europe or America (Michael Mancienne trained with us last season, as an example), but is Michael likely to spend cash on someone who might do well when January 1st is under three months away?

It’s a choice I wouldn’t want to have to make because he’s damned if he does, and damned if he does not.