James Collins
Finally, the last player is the prolific James Collins – a striker who knows where the net is – and who is ours! Collins is the profile of player that City have yearned for many years, and we finally have one. Though he is in the twilight of his career, City’s number 9 showed the form last year that showed his age is only a number. Scoring 10 goals in 20 games, Collins matched the tally of £3 million-rated Joe Taylor during his loan here, suggesting City have pulled a real diamond in Collins out of the rough.
The difference that Collins made in the team upon his arrival was huge and coincided with an upturn in form, pulling the Imps to 11th place. The Ireland international showed no signs of age, as he was quick and agile on many occasions to manoeuvre himself into positions where he could be lethal. If he can maintain the form he displayed for us last year, that would equate to over 20 goals – highly useful if City have aspirations of a top 6 finish.
Collins is also useful aside from goals. Whereas strikers of old, such as Joe Taylo,r could get lost in general play, Collins is the complete antithesis, often dropping in deep to demand the ball from his teammates to progress play. He is also a big asset away from the pitch, no doubt having an impact at the training ground. As an experienced pro, Collins will be able to set the standards as well as tutor the younger forwards such as Freddie Draper, Rob Street and Zane Okoro.
Verdict: A fit and firing Collins should be able to score 15 goals at least in League One next season for Lincoln City. How many games he starts remains to be seen, however, as it is likely that Michael Skubala will chop and change his team alongside a Saturday-Tuesday schedule. Collins may fall victim, but should remain the first-choice striker in my view, as his ability and experience demand a place in the team. If something were to happen to him, City have good options waiting in the wings, where Street and Draper will be hungry to score goals themselves.