It's the close season and message boards across the net or jam packed with speculation and opinion on who should sign for which club. Lincoln City boards are no different with every day throwing up a new rumour and a new name.
LCM has attempted to provide a quick guide to some of the names being linked with City, and tried to rate the chances of seeing that player in a red and white shirt for our 125 year celebrations.
Matt Bailey - Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Bailey is a 21 year old left back who has spent time on loan at Burton Albion and Kidderminster Harriers and is available on a free transfer. Standing at 5'10" Bailey looks like he may be on his way to Burton, but signed for them under Nigel Clough, and Paul Peschisolido may not want to follow up his interest in the left back. With Lee Beevers departed and Aaron Brown preferring a more advanced role, Bailey could be the perfect person to fill the left back slot.
Imps Chances - 4/10
Worth To Squad - 4/10
Paul Mayo - Corby Town
Mayo has sent his CV to Peter Jackson in an attempt to get himself back into League football with the Imps for a third time. Originally a Notts Forest trainee, Lincoln born left back Mayo had a successful spell with City before bagging himself a move to Championship side Watford. That didn't work out and after a second, unsuccessful spell at City he moved to Notts County before dropping out of league football. He's a left sided defender but someone that has a lot to prove. His signing would be extremely unpopular with a section of the Imps support.
Imps Chances - 3/10
Worth To Squad - 2/10
Godwin Antwi
Former Liverpool defender Antwi started as a youngster at Real Zaragoza before securing a move to Anfield. He's a Spanish U-19 international who has spent time out on loan at several leaue clubs including Accrington Stanley, Hartlepool and Tranmere Rovers. Antwi captained Liverpool reserves in 2007, and is available on a free transfer having been released by Liverpool last week.
Imps Chances - 5/10
Worth To Club - 4/10
Scott Goldbourne - Reading
Scott Golbourne is a left back who has spent time on loan at Wycombe, Bournemouth and Oldham. He played Premiership football for Reading before his move to Oldham, and made his Wycombe debut in a 3-1 defeat at the hands of The Imps, although he was named man of the match. He's available on a free transfer from Reading, although he's widely expected to make a move into League One, although not to Oldham after Joe Royle opted not to extend his loan in March.
Imps Chances - 2/10
Worth To Squad - 5/10
Anthony Elding - Crewe
Elding is well known to City fans after his spell on loan last season. Strong, athletic but at sometimes lethargic and ineffective Elding is something of an enigma. A former Boston player, he signed for Crewe for £150,000 after a spell at Leeds Utd. Averaged a goal every two games in League Two for Stockport County. However the Crewe management have stated a desire to keep him at Gresty Road and begin to repay the money spent on him. Would command a fee of at least £50,000 if he did move.
Imps Chances - 3/10
Worth To Squad - 4/10
Michael O'Connor - Crewe
Another ex Imp and a player who is much coveted by Lincoln. However, as exclusively revealed on LCM on Thursday O'Connor is also being tracked by Scunthorpe Utd. His all action displays and engine made him a real favourite last season, and a £50,000 spend here would be a wise investment. However despite the fact Crewe want rid of him they are unlikely to want to sell him to Lincoln. A season long loan deal is on the cards from the Imps but the lure of cash from Scunthorpe will probably see 'Occy' at Glanford Park next season.
Imps Chances - 0/10
Worth To Squad - 10/10
Chris Innes - Livingston
Innes is a Scottish journeyman who is currently attached to crisis club Livingston. The left back has played for Gretna, Dundee Utd and Kilmarnock after starting out at Blackburn Rovers. Innes has also attracted interest from Red Bull New York in the MLS, and is a former Scottish cup finalist, and Gretna captain. Innes will be available on a free, but is unproven in English football.
Imps Chances - 6/10
Worth To Squad - 7/10
Darren Moss
Moss is a full back who recently ended his association with play off finalists Shrewsbury Town. He joined Crewe Alexandra, but then made the move back to Shrewsbury where he had a knack of scoring goals against local rivals such as Chester or Wrexham. Moss is heavily linked with Morecombe and looks likely to stay in League Two. He is experienced at this level and could add something to the Imps defence.
Imps Chances - 6/10
Worth To Squad - 6/10
Pawel Abbott - Darlington
Abbott is well known to Imps fans and management alike. He started out at Preston before moving to Huddersfield under Peter Jackson. He scored the infamous 'offside goal' back in 2005, and turned down a move to MK Dons to fight for his Terriers place. A £150,000 move to Swansea followed, but after just six months he made a surprise move to Darlington. However given their financial plight Abbott is now available for nothing. Imps fans would love to see the striker in Red and White, but with Hearts showing interest and his excessive wage demands it looks highly unlikely. However maybe, just maybe Peter Jackson could swing such a coup.
Imps Chances - 2/10
Worth To Squad - 9/10
Scott Rendell - Peterborough
A powerful striker currently on the books of Peterborough Utd, Rendell is perhaps best known for his spells at Cambridge Utd where he proved himself a strong, commanding centre forward. He started out at Forest Green before a move to Abbey Road, and then a big money move to Peterborough. However whilst at Peterborough he found his chances limited, and ended up making a loan deal back to Cambridge. Another striker Imps fans would love to see sign, despite the fact he is unproven in league football.
Imps Chances - 5/10
Worth To Squad - 5/10
Lewis MaCardle
Lewis is a left sided player currently with the Glenn Hoddle academy, and rumours persist that the Imps are looking at another of these players. MaCardle started at Middlesborough, but an injury cut his promising spell there short, and he found himself released. MaCardle would seem the perfect player to provide cover at the back, and has had spells captaining the GHA XI, recently in a 1-0 victory over Spanish side Cadiz.
Imps Chances - 10/10
Worth To Squad - 5/10
Jay Folkes
Jay is a right sided midfielder currently at Glenn Hoddle's academy in Spain. He started out at QPR before being released, but has excellent pace and an eye for goal. Scored in the recent win over Cadiz, Folkes would seem ideal to fill the right wing spot occasionally filled by Dany N'Guessan and Stefan Oakes last season. Folkes would on the face of it be a good signing, but hasn't had any league football experience.
Imps Chances - 10/10
Worth To Squad - 6/10
Michael Bridges
Bridges name has been linked with City ever since he dropped down to Carlisle Utd. Once a £7.5 million player for Leeds Utd, Bridges fall from grace has been somewhat spectacular. He is now available on a free transfer from Hull City, and despite being 30 years old could still do a job at this level. Could we afford his wages, and after Geoff Horsfield would we take a punt on an ageing striker with something to prove?
Imps Chances - 2/10
Worth To Squad - 4/10
Paris Simmonds
Simmonds has spent time on loan at Lincoln, but faild to make an appearance due to an injury he picked up. He played some premiership football for Derby but has now been released. A left sided winger once touted as having a promising future, Simmonds may have blown his chances at Lincoln with the injury. He's being linked with Mansfield Town, but for the right wages may make an impact at Sincil Bank.
Imps Chances - 8/10
Worth To Squad - 4/10
Sam Williams - Aston Villa
Williams has played on loan at Wrexham, Walsall and Brentford scoring at each side, and is now available on a free transfer from Aston Villa. Originally a defensive midfielder Williams converted to a striker and settled comfortably into the position. He might be a good permanent signing having experience at this level, and will be known to Paul Green. However Brentford are thought to be watching him, although their recent signings may have ruled their interest out.
Imps Chances - 4/10
Value To Squad - 6/10
Mark Hudson
Mark Hudson has rejected a new contract with Rotherham and has played under Peter Jackson before. He can play defensive midfield or right back and it would seem like he would be the perfect signing for Lincoln. However the more astute observer will know that Jackson dropped him whilst at Huddersfield and vowed never to play him again. For those linking Lincoln and Hudson, don't bother!
Imps Chances - 0/10
Value To Squad - 1/10
There are of course other players the Imps may be looking at that we haven't touched on including Alfie Potter of Peterborough, Kyle Graves of Swansea and Gregg Blundell from Darlington. The key is balancing wages against transfer fees, and there is no doubt that of the summer signings some will work out and others won't For every Aaron Brown there is a Stefan Oakes, for every Rob Burch a Kevin Gall will also pull his Porsche into the car park.
LCM fancies one of the Glenn Hoddle lads to follow Chris Fagan, and possibly one other name from this list (although we can't divulge which one). Watch this space because as with Michael O'Connor at Scunthorpe we will continue to try and bring you the key rumours, separating the wheat from the chaff to keep you informed.