Lincoln City

Lincoln City head coach Chris Cohen says he was really proud after seeing his side secure their first points of the season with a 1-0 victory away at Bolton Wanderers.

Cohen told BBC Radio Lincolnshire: "The players are more than good enough to play at this level.

"We spoke to the players and the staff in there and we are lucky to have them work with us.

"The staff we work with give really good plans in terms of match plans, in terms of formations and tactical work, but that was a result based on spirit. That's something we have had for a number of years, something this club has had for a number of years.

"We are really proud. To win three of our first five games - albeit two in the cup - shows the players are more than good enough to play at this level."

It is 42 years since Lincoln City last won a league game at Bolton Wanderers, which would have been at their opponents' former Burnden Park ground.

Bolton are unbeaten in their opening two games having followed Lincoln up from League One via the play-offs last season.

• Bolton were one of just two sides to avoid defeat by Lincoln City in the 2025-26 League One campaign (D2 – also Huddersfield Town), though they are winless in three against the Imps (D2 L1) since a 3-0 home win in December 2024.

• Lincoln are winless in each of their past seven away league games against Bolton (D2 L5), since a 2-0 win in February 1984 in the third tier.

• Bolton beat Preston 2-1 in their opening game and are hoping to win their first two home league games of a second-tier campaign for the first time since the 1996-97 season.

• After losing their opening two league games this season, Lincoln will be hoping to avoid losing their opening three fixtures of a league campaign for the first time since the 2008-09 season in the fourth tier.

• Bolton manager Steven Schumacher has never won a league game against Lincoln City in six previous attempts (D3 L3) – they are the only side he has faced more than three times without winning.

Image source, Getty Images

Lincoln City striker Tanto Olaofe says he hopes his first goal on his full debut for the club will make it more difficult for head coaches Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw to decide on their best team in the Championship.

The Imps have had a tough start to life back in the second tier for the first time in 65 years, losing both their first two league games.

But their form in the Carabao Cup has been much better - beating fellow Championship side Derby County in the first round before Tuesday's comfortable 4-1 win in the second round at League One Blackpool.

Olaofe was one of 11 changes made for the tie with the Tangerines and responded to his first start since joining on loan from Charlton with the game's opening goal.

"As a striker, you can go the whole game without getting an opportunity, then you've got to be alive for the next 20-30 seconds to just make sure you capitalise on an opportunity that you do get," he told BBC Radio Lincolnshire.

"It's just about staying switched on and being prepared. Getting goals is what every striker wants so it's good to get off the mark."

Olaofe was substituted with five minutes to go after making his first start since mid-April during a loan spell with Stockport County.

But he said he hoped his goal - and the fact that so many changes had brought a positive result - meant the Lincoln management team now have some tough decisions to make before Saturday's trip to Bolton Wanderers.

"It's about building minutes and when the opportunity comes just making sure I grab it and give the coaches and managers more of a harder opportunity when they pick the starting 11," he said.

"It's a competitive game. You're playing against other strikers and iron sharpens iron. If they're performing, they're performing, you just want to push each other on.

"It's trying to make their job as difficult as possible to pick a starting 11.

"I always have to back myself. It's just about building momentum and getting games and I'll just continue to stay in the Championship and just maintain that level of football."

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's match between Lincoln City and Portsmouth.

Here are some of your comments:

Lincoln City fans

Jack: Lincoln's high-press system was found wanting against a team that could adapt and play through it, finding a way to disrupt it.

Portsmouth are a hardened, street-wise Championship side, and they were very good going forward and dominated the game, particularly in the second half.

Lincoln needs to adapt, and quickly, otherwise it will be a long season for them.

Dave: They are weak, as they rely on bombing the opposition box or hurling long balls. Worked in League One, but this is a huge step up. Need to play proper football to survive.

Maurice: Lincoln needs to concentrate on the basics.

1. Defending and off-the-ball play not good enough.

2. Too many mistakes and bad passing.

3. Too many long balls from the goalkeeper and not enough short passes.

4. Team selection and subbing are questionable. Experienced players unused?

5. Too many players do not look around to see where opposition players are.

I could go on. But if they correct what I've mentioned, their game should improve.

Image source, Shutterstock

Portsmouth fans

Andy: A decent performance by Pompey after the first five minutes.

Marlon Pack made a massive difference this week and made them look more solid at the back.

Frank: Improved performance, however, not up to where we need to be yet. Sometimes sloppy on the ball, and against better opposition, would have been under more pressure. Six out of 10. Good luck to Lincoln, though, after a long absence at this level but it could be a long season of battles for them.

Biscuit Mick: Classy performance on Saturday, fabulous goals. Thought Lincoln were poor, still playing League One football, but the best team won by far. Defence needs to speed up and be more protective, but on the whole, very good performance. PUP.

Lincoln City head coach Tom Shaw spoke to BBC Radio Lincolnshire after their Championship defeat by Portsmouth.

For a written selection of his quotes, click here.

Lincoln City play their first home game in the second tier of English football in 66 years when they host Portsmouth on Saturday (12:30 BST).

The Imps have failed to score in three of the past four meetings between the sides.

• Lincoln City have won just one of their past 14 league games against Portsmouth since 1981 (D4 L9), a 1-0 success away from home in January 2021.

• This will be Portsmouth and Lincoln City's first meeting in the second tier of English football since December 1960, with Pompey winning three of the four matches between the pair at this level (L1).

• Since returning to the Football League for the 2017-18 season, Lincoln have never lost each of their opening two games of a campaign.

• Portsmouth are unbeaten across their past six opening away games of a league campaign (W3 D3), with their three wins in that time as many as across their prior 37 attempts combined between 1984 and 2020.

• Lincoln City's James Collins has scored more league goals against Portsmouth than any other opponent throughout his career – eight of his nine have come in home games, including a four-goal haul for Swindon Town on New Year's Day 2013.

The latest episode of BBC Radio Lincolnshire's Red Imps Club podcast is out.

Host Callum Davis is joined by Lincoln fan Gary Parle and Kyle Kennealey from the Stacey West blog.

They reflect on Lincoln City's 2-1 loss at Middlesbrough in the first game of the Championship season and look ahead to the first home game against Portsmouth on Saturday (12:30 BST).

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

Explore more Lincoln City content on BBC Sounds

A Will Lankshear brace helped Middlesbrough come from behind to beat Lincoln City 2-1 in their opening game of the new Championship season on Saturday.

The striker joined Boro from Tottenham in the summer and won the game for the home side with a 92nd-minute goal after the Imps had taken the lead through Adam Reach.

We asked for your thoughts and here is a selection of what Middlesbrough and Lincoln fans have had to say on the game:

Middlesbrough fans:

Dave - Absolutely shocking first-half tactics - pass sideways, backwards and then lose the ball. An improved second half with substitutions but we would be sunk without Lankshear.

Bert - Rather good first match. Space for improvement with these players. Defence more resolute, attacking more pace and switch quicker from right to left. Boro will end up in the top six.

Stephen - Very fortunate to win after a poor first-half display. They managed to get it right in the second half but the defensive frailties are there for all to see.

Roger - Good second-half display. With lots of new players they took time to adjust and deservedly beat a really tough side. With Strelec, Morris and Conway to return from injury I think we will have a great season.

Lincoln fans:

Ray - Very impressive. We won't be the pushovers the experts claim.

David - Well done in the first half for our determined Imps. I know the die hard fans are going to be up in arms at my statement but this year we are desperately in need of linking passes together otherwise we are going be cream crackered by Christmas. This is a real step up!

Ian - Great spirit and commitment. No criticism of effort. Better luck next outing lads.

Paul - Onward you imps. We will surprise a lot of teams this season.

Norffy - Great effort - nearly caused an upset

Lincoln City head coach Chris Cohen spoke to BBC Radio Lincolnshire after their Championship season-opening loss at Middlesbrough.

For a written selection of his quotes, click here.

Image source, Opta

For the first time in 65 years Lincoln will play in the second tier of English football on Saturday (15:00 BST) as they begin their campaign at beaten play-off finalists Middlesbrough.

The Imps won at Derby in the EFL Cup first round last weekend and lost just once in the past 15 seasons on the opening day.

Boro overcame Wrexham in the EFL Cup and have lost only one of their past five curtain-raisers.

• This is the first meeting between Middlesbrough and Lincoln City in any competition since April 1961, with the Imps winning a second tier match 5-2 at Sincil Bank.

• Lincoln City have won just one of their 10 previous Football League visits to Middlesbrough (D3 L6); a 2-1 victory in March 1959 in the second tier under Bill Anderson.

• Following a run of 10 wins in 14 games between November and February (D1 L3), Middlesbrough won just four of their final 15 league matches to end last season (D7 L4).

• Lincoln City finished their EFL League One title-winning campaign with a 29-game unbeaten run (W23 D6); only six sides previously have gone 30+ games outside of the top-flight, the last being Burnley in 2024-25 (33).

• Middlesbrough recorded more pressed sequences than any other side in the EFL Championship last season (592), while only Ipswich Town (11) and Hull City (9) scored more goals following high turnovers than their eight.

Is Mikkel Ladefoged heading to Sincil Bank?

BBC Radio Lincolnshire's Michael Hortin and Rob Makepeace offer up the latest in Lincoln City transfer news.

Listen to the full lowdown below or on BBC Sounds here.

Explore more Lincoln City content on BBC Sounds

Lincoln have been rebuffed with a £2m offer for Burton attacker Tyrese Shade, 26. (Pete O'Rourke, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Friday's gossip column here.