Skubala expects 'twists' in 'strongest' League One

Michael Skubala replaced Mark Kennedy as Lincoln head coach last November

Lincoln City head coach Michael Skubala expects "twists and turns" in the upcoming League One season.

Skubala, talking to the Red Imps Club on BBC Radio Lincolnshire on Monday evening, said he believed the 2024-25 League One is the "strongest in recent years".

"I'm really excited by the group, I'm really excited about leading them into next season," said Skubala, who will be in the dugout for a season-opener as a senior head coach for the first time.

"I know there'll be twists and turns. I know it's going to be quite a tough League One, some say the strongest League One in recent years, but I'm quite excited about that and I think the players are [too]."

The 41-year-old arrived at the LNER Stadium last November, replacing the sacked Mark Kennedy and, after a slow start, transformed a lower mid-table team into promotion contenders.

A 16-game unbeaten run in the early months of 2024 propelled the Imps into the top six although they ultimately fell two points shy of the play-offs in seventh place.

Former Leeds interim manager and under-21s coach Skubala has made 10 signings this summer including goalkeeper George Wickens from Premier League side Fulham and midfielder Conor McGrandles from Charlton, both for undisclosed fees.

Skubala admitted Lincoln are a club focused on the development of young players but said bringing in experienced heads, like 28-year-old McGrandles, has also been a part of the club's transfer strategy.

"When you have good young players in the building, I think sometimes they need some good experience around them and we can all agree that getting that experience right, is even more important," he added.

"An older player doesn't necessarily mean they're right with what we're trying to do. I think sometimes it's tricky trying to find players that are going to add to the pitch and add to the dressing room.

"I think we've done that really well this summer."

Skubala said Imps fans could expect "more movement" before the end of the transfer window but played down the chances of Joe Taylor returning to the club.

The 21-year-old netted 10 goals in 19 league appearances for Lincoln in the second half of last season while on loan from Luton.

"I don't think it's a case of 'Joe's available on loan' even if he is because at the moment he's in Luton's team and will be looking to play in the Championship which is where he'd want to play as well," said Skubala.

"But if it wasn't a loan, I'd imagine there would be a lot of clubs looking to sign Joe permanently as well which, in all honesty, would move him out of our market because you're talking millions I'd think."

Lincoln begin their League One campaign on Saturday away to Burton Albion.