I’m not going to talk about everything because it would be unfair to Michael Hortin, who did a great interview with Jez George. If you want to listen, you can do so here. It is highly recommended. Jez addresses Danny Mandroiu, Ted Bishop, and Ethan Erhahon, as well as the players who have been loaned out.
However, he goes into some detail about Imps favourite Lewis Montsma (32 minutes in), with whom we were confirmed to be ‘in talks’ when the retained list was just released. Montsma, who missed the entire season last year due to his third ACL injury, was not anticipated to return to the club. However, reports that there were conversations fueled hope that we might be close to getting Lewis back on the pitch.
That much is true: he is in a situation where he can begin pre-season training, and the club is looking into solutions that will benefit both the player and the team.
“He would be ready to join training with the group from the start of pre-season,” said Jez, who predicted Lewis will break the million-pound threshold in his first six months here. “Can we be the club that takes responsibility for getting him back on a football pitch and making sure he has a football career beyond Lincoln?”
This would entail Lewis signing a short-term deal. It would entail him returning in pre-season, training with the squad, playing in some games, maybe committing to the club until at least January, and being available for selection. When we talk about negotiations, the first question is, “Can we just get Lewis here in preseason?”
Jez goes into greater information regarding the potential agreement, including conversations with Lewis and meetings with him, Liam, Michael, and the head of medical, Kieran Walker. It’s a good lesson, not just because it means we might see the big Dutchman in a City shirt again, but also because it highlights the club’s ethical and moral character. That’s quite essential to me.
Why? Because, first and foremost, I support my football club, although there have been occasions when I didn’t particularly enjoy it. The John Beck era was not always enjoyable (for some), and the time from 2008 to 2011 left me feeling quite disconnected. Sometimes things didn’t sit right, and the club’s ambition to advance was not always accompanied by a sense of integrity. Many teams are like this now, but our attitude towards Lewis represents the club’s general ethos, which I believe is one of transparency and respect.
Of course, unlike athletic accomplishment, not everyone is concerned about it. The main question today is if Lewis and the club will reach an agreement, and if they do, we could see the enormous man rise like Lazarus, metaphorically rather than literally in this instance, and become a key part of the Imps’ squad once again?
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