Imps boss Danny Cowley believes the club are in a ‘brilliant position’ following a January transfer window which saw City bring in a total of seven players, three of which have joined from SkyBet Championship clubs.
City announced the arrivals of Lee Angol and experienced goalkeeper Matt Gilks on Deadline Day on Thursday, taking the tally of Sky Bet League One recruits to four. Angol has joined the club on loan from Shrewsbury with Gilks arriving on a permanent deal from Scunthorpe United.
Speaking about how the new signings will play their part, Cowley said: “We've got ourselves in a brilliant position, and the aim of the whole window was to find areas that could stop us getting promoted, and trying to make sure we have the necessary cover and protection in those areas.
The Imps' boss spoke highly about the arrival of Millwall youngster James Brown who joined the the club on loan until the end of the season.
“We brought in James Brown, who gives us real cover at right-back and that gives us the potential to move Neal Eardley to left-back if anything was to happen to Harry Toffolo,” said Cowley.
Danny continued by discussing Cian Bolger who joined the club on a two-and-a-half-year deal the same day as Brown, explaining how he will provide an option to move Michael Bostwick into midfield: “Jason Shackell and Michael Bostwick have been immense since day dot, and we were wary that if we were to lose one of those, then that could cause a problem.
“Bringing Cian in was brilliant for us, and it gives an option to move Michael into midfield, who can be very effective as we saw at Yeovil. That gives us more strength in depth at centre-half and in midfield.”
Lincoln City’s third signing was former Scotland U21 midfielder Mark O’Hara who joined the club on loan from Peterborough United. The 23-year-old started his career with Kilmarnock, making his professional debut away to Celtic.
“Mark O'Hara comes in and gives us real athleticism and is a forward-thinking centre-midfielder. That strengthens us there, and it gives us the possibility of loaning Ellis out, and he will really benefit from that, as it will benefit Ellis and the club in the long term,” explained Cowley.
City also secured the return of forward Danny Rowe on loan from Ipswich Town.
The 26-year-old was part of the Imps side who won the Checkatrade Trophy during the 2017/18 season. Jordan Roberts followed his Town teammate to Sincil Bank just days later giving Lincoln another attacking option.
The Imps boss praised the pair explaining how he can use them in a number of positions “Danny Rowe's come in and done what Danny Rowe can do. We tweaked how we could use him, and we thought we could use him in that number 10 role with how play, and he's come and hit the ground running.
“And you add Jordan Roberts to that and you've got options in wide areas and someone who can spearhead the attack as a number nine.”
Cowley finished by discussing his delight with the window and praised the board for their support: “We are pleased with the work we've done, and you have to credit the club and the Board for their foresight and we realise the position we're in.
“We looked at some clubs who have been in our position in previous years and what prevented them from having a successful second half of the season, and tried to learn some lessons from those sides and hopefully we can.”
The first chance you'll get to see the Deadline Day signings at Sincil Bank is on February 9th as City host Northampton Town.
Tickets for this fixture are on sale here.
