Bolton boss Steven Schumacher admitted “it’s a bigger job than I expected” after seeing his side’s League One play-off hopes crash and burn in a 4-2 defeat at Lincoln.
The Trotters had fought back from two goals down to level by the break, through Jay Matete and Alex Murphy, after Erik Ring and James Collins, with a penalty, had put City 2-0 up after 17 minutes.
But a second-half header and an ingenious free-kick from Reeco Hackett put the Imps back in the driving seat, with Bolton’s woes compounded by Josh Dacres-Cogley’s stoppage-time dismissal.
“We didn’t start very well and they were on top,” he lamented after seeing his side lose for the seventh time in nine games. “We were too passive and conceded two poor goals.
“We worked hard to get back into it, but they didn’t have to work hard for their goals and we come out of it disappointed again.”
He went on: “Yes, there’s some talent here, but I don’t think it’s got the mentality to get promoted, so we need to make changes and the summer can’t come quick enough now.
“We need to learn to defend better, do the basics better. We are just too easy to play against. We have all the signs of a poor team. I know we have loads of injuries, but that’s no excuse.
“It’s another under-achievement of season and, yes, the players have let us down. This club shouldn’t be in League One, but it has been for too long and mistakes have been made. And yes, it’s a bigger job than I expected.”
City took the lead after 10 minutes when Ring’s cross evaded everyone and bounced into the far corner.
Collins made it 2-0, smashing a penalty high into the roof of the net after Ethan Erhahon had been taken out by David Abimbola in the box.
Bolton reduced the after 28 minutes, with Matete striking low and hard past George Wickens from 20 yards, before Murphy levelled nine minutes later, heading in Dacres-Cogley’s cross.
Collins grabbed his second, heading Roughan’s superb cross past Nathan Baxter after 53 minutes, before Hackett added the fourth, curling a 30-yard free-kick into the net off the near post after seeing the keeper defending the far post.
Dacres-Cogley was sent off in stoppage-time for picking up a second yellow card.
Lincoln head coach Michael Skubala hailed his in-form side, who made it five games unbeaten.
“What a game, it had everything,” he said. “I loved us again. I thought we started so well, we looked dominant and threatening. We were so good and it was like how we want to be.
“Tactically, in the second half we were brilliant. I was looking for us to spoil another party and we did that well. There were so many good performances out there.
“I have said it before and I’ll say it again, you cannot question the character and motivation of this group. They are not on the beach and they love winning.
“We keep learning things about this group and it was a quality performance.”
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
