Ethan Hamilton
Ethan Hamilton is much like Tom Hamer in the sense that he was unlucky last season to not have made a bigger impact. The Scot made a lightning start to his Imps career, quickly asserting himself as one of the first names on the team sheet under both Mark Kennedy and Michael Skubala in 23/24, scoring the only goal in the latter’s first win for The Imps away at Leyton Orient. Hamilton was one of the victims in Lincoln’s midfield injury crisis of 2024, forcing him on the sidelines for much of the run-in that culminated in the failure to reach the League One Playoffs, where it had previously looked like he was on for player of the season. Had he been available for the final few games, who knows what difference he could have made?
This campaign, the flying Scotsman will have his first full preseason with Lincoln if all goes well, allowing him to be fresh from the get-go. The absence of one was probably a factor which limited his performance levels last campaign, as it looked like re-joining the squad after the season opened put him on the back foot. As the season wore on, the Ethan of old looked to be coming back, putting in notable performances such as in the 5-1 demolition of rivals Peterborough United, putting in a man-of-the-match performance.
An energetic runner and with a sharp eye for goal, if Hamilton is to return to the levels we know he is capable of, he must battle with the likes of Dom Jefferies, Conor McGrandles, Tom Bayliss and possibly Ethan Erhahon if he were to remain for a spot in the XI. The 26-year-old is more than capable of this, however, as he is a strong asset to the club thanks to his performance levels when at his best. He will be looking to have a strong third season at Sincil Bank if he is to be selected in a double pivot in the new 4231 system.
Verdict: I can see Hamilton being paired alongside an anchor in the midfield next season, whether that be Erhahon or someone else, just behind the ‘10’. It will likely be a battle between him and Bayliss for the ‘8’ spot, but both can play in the ‘10’, so we could potentially see both line up together. A big season is ahead for Ethan Hamilton.