A goalscorer could swing it

Two friendlies in a week against Celtic and Norwich may have produced differing fortunes results-wise, but the overall performances suggest Chris Sutton may be building a squad capable of challenging for honours this season.

There is one slight caveat with that in that the two matches also highlighted City’s need for a proven goalscorer – bag one of them and it could be a season to remember.

Not that Lincoln are spineless up front, far from it, but these two friendlies just emphasise how important it is to have that sort of striker who can make a chance out of nothing and sniff out an opportunity – they have creators aplenty, but need someone on the end of the service.

City may have paid a fee for Gavin McCallum’s services, but the well-travelled Drewe Broughton looks set to play a far more influential role for the Imps after showing his mettle against a good Norwich defence.

There were groans aplenty when the former Rotherham striker re-joined the club earlier in the summer, but he gives City an attacking thrust with his willingness to battle and get stuck in, bring other players in to the action and to give the flying wingers an outlet.

It was no coincidence that City lacked spark up front when he went off (and against Celtic). McCallum could be that goalscorer, but he looks a little off the pace at present although he wasn’t seen to great effect against the Canaries by ploughing a lone furrow when replacing Broughton.

As for Mustapha Carayol and Albert Jarrett – Lincoln have hit the jackpot here and the former could turn out to be one of City’s best signings of recent years. He glides past defenders with consummate ease and the way he knocked one ball past Jens Berthel Askou and sprinted round the right-back to pick up possession gave witness to what Sutton mentioned in reference to Carayol and pace.

He and Jarrett are developing a unique understanding as well despite playing on opposite flanks. Numerous times against Celtic and Norwich the two found each other with crossfield passes and they also swap wings during games to further bamboozle the full-backs.

They have both been exceptional in pre-season and no doubt most City goals this season will come as a result of their build-up play.

One of the more positive aspects from the 0-0 draw with Norwich was how well the defence played. Adam Watts is getting stronger and better with every game, and more importantly, braver, while Moses Swaibu kept Simeon Jackson in his pocket on Wednesday night and produced an exceptional display at centre-back.

Joe Anderson is getting better, while Jamie Clapham may have played his way into the starting XI against Rotherham at right-back after a composed second-half display. His experience at the back will be vital this season.

Joe Anyon will have proved some of his doubters from Saturday wrong with a series of impressive saves and he could be a worthy successor to Rob Burch.

And then there’s right-back-turned-holding midfielder Cian Hughton who looked more than comfortable playing in front of the back four - an inspired tactical choice by Sutton? Could be.

So the team looks like it virtually picks itself now, although one of Clark Keltie, Scott Kerr and Josh O’Keefe will be disappointed, although box-to-box midfielder O’Keefe looks a certainty to start at the Don Valley Stadium. Chris, you decide.

Will it be a season of success? Who knows, but dare you ignore the 33-1 on offer for the Imps to win the title?