Lincoln City slipped out of the top seven last night in the wake of Exeter's 1-0 win at lowly Port Vale.

Their fate is still in their own hands though, with both the Grecians and Coventry still featuring on the Imps fixture list.

It's been a super season at Sincil Bank, a thrilling sequel to last season's heroics. From an FA Cup quarter final and the National League title, to a Wembley appearance in the EFL Trophy and a play off challenge. You'd be hard pushed to find a club more in sync with it's supporters right now.

Things are never perfect though and Danny Cowley has decisions to make in the summer, the sort of decisions that will ultimately make or break his side. There's little to suggest he'll make the wrong ones, he doesn't seem to get much wrong.

Whether the Imps are promoted or not, these choices are looming large and how he chooses to play them will have a huge impact on whether his side are competing at the top of League Two or, maybe, the middle of League One.

 

The Imps have real tactical flexibility, effortlessly switching between 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 at various times this season. At the moment, he prefers the latter, but it does mean that some of the club's best players don't get a look in.

Danny Rowe is on loan from Ipswich and Harry Anderson is a burly and physical winger who pleases the fans with his direct approach. Both are out and out wingers, used to hugging the touchline and getting crosses in. When the Imps go 4-3-3, it negates the need for such players.

Recent wins against Grimsby (3-1) and Chesterfield (3-1) have shown the fresh tactics to be effective, but with five recognised wingers in a squad of 22 players, there is an imbalance when operating 4-3-3.

Cameron Stewart has clearly been a decent player in his time, but his Imps tenure has been far from exciting. He's made eight appearances, two starts in the league and hasn't really been an effective force.

His best football has perhaps come in the Checktrade Trophy, a lovely cross served up Harry Anderson's winner against Peterborough in the last eight, but in truth much was expected of the former Manchester United star, but little has been seen.

Danny will have to decide if the short-term deal has been a success, or if the wages would be better spent elsewhere.

Neal Eardley is already being discussed in some Imps circles as their best right back ever, just 42 appearances into his Imps spell. He arrived as a last minute trialist, sneaking into the squad just ahead of the opening day clash with Wycombe. He wasn't a heralded arrival, more of a stop gap between regular left back Sam Habergham returning to fitness.

After just a couple of games  it became apparent that he was in fact a superb footballer. He's had Premier League experience and played for his country, so there was no reason why he wouldn't be, but after three years of injury hell he could be excuse for losing some of that shine. He hasn't, not one bit. When he plays, City looked balanced and calm at the back.

Both him and Danny have hinted at a new deal but as yet, nothing has been tied up. More than any other summer business, this must be sorted as soon as possible.