Lincoln City Midfield Stats Comparison 2024/25

Lincoln City’s midfield was a vital component in the club’s League One campaign in 2024/25, with various players taking on distinct roles in Michael Skubala’s evolving side.

Some shifted around the midfield, others got fewer minutes, but it is possible to compare those contributions. While some players enjoyed more game time than others, a per-90-minute statistical comparison helps paint a fairer picture of each individual’s contribution.

So, that’s what I’ve done. I’m not trying to drown anyone in stats, but I was interested to see how some players fared.

Conor McGrandles

Conor McGrandles played more minutes than any other midfielder this season (3,462), and his influence can be seen across a number of defensive metrics. He averaged 9.38 successful defensive actions per 90, topping the list, and won 71.54% of his defensive duels, the best success rate among his peers.

He also posted solid aerial numbers, contesting 3.12 aerial duels per 90 and winning over half of them. Offensively, his role was more restrained—only 0.29 shots and 0.26 shot assists per 90—yet he maintained 82.36% passing accuracy, a reliable outlet in possession. His forward passing was less effective (62.24% accuracy), but given the volume (9.98 per 90), this reflects a combative, high-effort midfield role.

Ethan Erhahon

Ethan Erhahon’s impact is more subtle but equally essential. Despite slightly fewer minutes (2,913), his distribution numbers are particularly impressive. He averaged 13.5 forward passes per 90 with a 73.68% accuracy, comfortably the best in the group. He also made 7.11 passes to the final third per 90, showing his ability to link defence and attack effectively.

Defensively, he contributed 8.5 successful defensive actions per 90 and intercepted the ball 5.28 times per game—more than anyone else in the group. With only 0.22 shots per 90 and no assists, his attacking impact was limited, but in a holding role, that’s not a flaw. His overall 85.07% passing accuracy underlines his security on the ball.

Tom Bayliss

Tom Bayliss offers a very different profile. While he only managed 2,351 minutes, he made his presence felt with three goals and four assists, leading all midfielders in both categories. His expected goals (xG) tally of 1.87 and 1.15 shot assists per 90 underline a player who operated in more advanced areas.

He attempted more dribbles (1.65 per 90) and delivered more crosses (1.45 per 90) than anyone else in the group, while also getting 1.23 touches in the opposition box each match. Defensively, he wasn’t as dominant, with a 64.38% duel success rate and lower numbers for defensive actions, but his attacking stats clearly position him as the most forward-thinking of the midfielders.

Ethan Hamilton

Ethan Hamilton’s 1,990 minutes were impacted by his return from injury, but per-90 metrics showcase a busy, all-action midfielder. He recorded 8.37 defensive duels per 90—the highest of the group—and was second only to McGrandles for aerial duels contested. His success rates in both (63.78% and 50.85%, respectively) were competitive.

Offensively, Hamilton took on more attacking duties than Erhahon and McGrandles, with 1.18 touches in the box and 1.22 dribbles per 90. Though his forward pass completion (65.52%) was modest, he was still more accurate than Bayliss. He didn’t register a goal or assist but did carry an xG of 1.7, hinting at some unlucky finishing or missed opportunities.

Sam Clucas

Sam Clucas only played 277 minutes, so the per-90 numbers should be taken with caution, but they do hint at quality in his limited outings. He averaged 0.65 shot assists per 90, the second-highest behind Bayliss, and also managed 0.33 shots blocked and 0.99 touches in the box—both top-tier numbers within this group.

Defensively, Clucas also posted impressive figures: 9.85 defensive duels per 90 (highest overall), although the 60% success rate was the lowest of the five players. His 72.73% passing accuracy and his accurate forward pass rate were the lowest in the group (57.89%). Still, in far fewer minutes than the others, that might not reflect his full capability.

Final Third Impact and Creativity

Creativity was one of the more divisive aspects across this midfield unit. Bayliss stood head and shoulders above the rest with four assists, 1.15 shot assists per 90, and more involvement in attacking zones. Erhahon, while less flashy, was instrumental in build-up phases, completing the most accurate forward passes and regularly progressing the ball into dangerous areas.

McGrandles and Hamilton operated more in the middle third, combining ball-winning duties with steady passing. Their combined total of goals and assists? Zero. However, both hovered around 4–4.2 passes into the final third per 90, suggesting some offensive support even if it didn’t result in direct contributions.

Defensive Responsibility and Reliability

On the defensive side, McGrandles again stands out, with high duel success rates, plenty of aerial involvement, and excellent all-round numbers. Hamilton’s raw duel volume suggests he was heavily involved in pressing and disrupting play, even if his actual success percentage was a touch lower.

Erhahon’s numbers point to a more positionally astute midfielder, relying on anticipation and interceptions rather than tackles and physical contests. Bayliss, by contrast, shows a clear trade-off—less involved defensively but far more productive going forward.

In the interests of fairness, I have also tried to reduce everyone’s minutes to within a game or so of each other, so for the midfielders that played all season, I have found their first 250-350 minutes to bring them onto a par with Sam Clucas, for further accurate comparison.

That can be found on the next page.