While Lincoln City close in on a managerial replacement for Danny Cowley, recent tweaks on the pitch, both in personnel and tactical approach, give subtle hints to the way they're looking to evolve their style.

Throughout the club's sharp rise in recent years, Cowley constantly changed his style to suit the needs of the level they were at, and it's a trend that the new man, potentially Michael Appleton, will surely look to continue in the club's progression.

The wheels for this have clearly already been set in motion this season, as the likes of Michael Bostwick, Michael O'Connor and Lee Frecklington - key members of the Imps' promotion campaign - are finding their first-team opportunities less frequent as City look for a younger, more technical midfield as they adjust to League One.

Though Frecklington is currently injured, he, along with the experienced Bostwick and O'Connor formed the solid, battling midfield base which complemented Lincoln's direct approach as they finished as League Two champions and gained a second promotion in three seasons.

They're experience, nous, battling characteristics and game management played a key part in the centre of the park as the Imps often won the all-important physical battle necessary in the fourth tier.

Different qualities are required to be successful in League One though, and this has been recognised. Younger players - better in possession - have been brought into City's midfield this season. The likes of Joe Morrell (on-loan from Bristol City) and Callum Connolly (on-loan from Everton) have been starting in the engine room recently, adding a little more zest and dynamism than the old guard.

This hasn't meant that Bostwick and O'Connor have been phased out completely. Former Peterborough United man Bostwick often plays in central defence, a position he knows well, for the Imps now - allowing for his experience and physicality to be utilised elsewhere.

O'Connor is also very much still in the picture, but, when selected, often plays in a deeper role alongside the younger legs of the new recruits, allowing his know-how to blend with their energy and ability.

It's a definite change of setup from Lincoln this season, not so much moving on from the old guard - more phasing a new method in slowly while allowing the experienced players to use their skills to play a major role in the progress being made.

Going from a hard-working midfield three to a more technique based, line breaking five (of sorts) was a necessary change made by Cowley in the summer. Adding the likes of Jorge Grant and Jack Payne to play as creative options were also key to making this happen, along with the arrival of striker Tyler Walker, who is capable of joining in with play and stretching teams on the counter-attack.

If Michael Appleton, as speculated, is to be Cowley's replacement, he will need to acknowledge the tactical transition that is currently in full swing. However, I'm sure this is likely as Appleton has good experience of League One level football and is known to play open, expansive football.