Can the young Imps push for the League One title?

Michael Appleton’s side have pushed to within two points of the top of the League One table as they look to get promoted into the second tier.

The real question is, can Lincoln City get promoted into the Championship as champions of League One and how comfortably can they do it?

Well with an average age of 23.4, the Lincolnshire side have definitely got the right mix with all their youngsters stepping up and performing capably at this level.

Appleton has really created a side that can easily dismantle sides. Lincoln possess the ability of Alex Palmer in between the sticks, a fantastic back-line, a midfield full of flair and a front-line that brings speed, trickery and real pedigree.

After three results that saw the Imps slide away from the leading pack ever so slightly, Lincoln went into their home match against Crewe Alexandra with the knowledge that a win would put them back into contention at the top.

With talisman Jorge Grant, experienced midfielder Liam Bridcutt and winger Remy Howarth out all injured the faith has been put onto some young talented players to deliver the results that the side need in order to get out of this division.

A front-line with an average age of 19, Morgan Rogers, Brennan Johnson and Callum Morton proved why all of them should keep a place in the starting lineup for the remainder of the campaign.

The Nottingham Forest loanee, Johnson continues to prove his potential and his worth with fantastic performances down the wing for Appleton’s side.

Skillful, intelligent and pacy, the 19-year-old is likely to be in his parent clubs plan for next season.

Morton, a loanee from West Bromwich Albion, has shown qualities that can make him a successful striker, and at 21 was the oldest of the attacking trio who started at the LNER Stadium.

With crucial goals against Northampton in the League Two play-offs last season, the forward will hope that he can score some much-needed goals as he looks to help the Imps on their way up.

Rogers, signed on loan from Manchester City, completes the frontline and brings in technical ability on and off the ball.

The 18-year-old has shown absolute maturity and doesn’t look like he is one of the youngest players in the squad as he does not look a step out of place.

The two wingers combined for the first goal that the Imps scored in the 19th minute of the match. Brennan Johnson’s pace saw him skip past the Crewe defenders as he spotted his winger partner as Rodgers slotted the ball into the back of the net.

Conor McGrandles’ goal early in the second-half was a thing of beauty as he delightful curled it into the goal. Again, the wing-play was important in the move and the role of the two youngsters deployed out wide is crucial in why Lincoln have been so successful this season.

Johnson capped off a fantastic individual performance with a goal of his own. Already grabbing an assist after his involvement in Rogers’ goal, the winger completed a delightful move to get the Imps’ third.

Substitute Tom Hopper distributed the ball to the on running winger who would take a touch and then fire past Crewe goalkeeper Dave Richards to complete a fantastic performance from Appleton’s side.

After such a comfortable and dominant display, Lincoln currently sit in third in League One on 60 points, only two points away from Hull City and Peterborough United who currently occupy the two automatic promotion places.

If performances like these can continue then Appleton has undoubtedly created a winning formula and after a recent blip, his young Imps look to be marching on.

Once talisman Grant returns Lincoln will become even stronger and this side will feel confident they can go on to achieve promotion from League One.

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