Chieo Ogbene has been impressed with the hunger on display throughout City’s squad since arriving at the club on transfer deadline day.
The winger has made two appearances for the Imps so far, starting Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup tie at Bournemouth after making a positive impact from the bench on his debut against Southampton, helping City earn a deserved late equaliser.
Having quickly settled into his new surroundings, Ogbene has been struck by the mentality within the group and believes the desire running through the squad can play a key role in City’s first season back in the Championship.
He said: “You look at the players around here, guys who are hungry, and that goes a long way. People that are hungry, they have that burning desire in their stomach. That’s my ethos. I’ve come up that way - hunger and desire.
“To be part of a team that’s like that, I think it always gives me that burning fire in my stomach and that’s why I wanted to be here.
“You have to go out to every game with your chest out. We deserve to be here, we didn’t get it for free. There wasn’t a raffle to get to the Championship.”
That belief was also central to Ogbene’s decision to make the move to Lincoln, with the 29-year-old explaining how his conversations with the club left him convinced that the Imps were the right fit.
He said: “There was something about that meeting that I had and I said it to Chris and Tom, I had goosebumps about it.”
“Their way of words was very convincing. I felt wanted. That’s the most important thing as a player. You always want to be wanted.”
“I really fell in love with the meeting that we had. I fell in love with the idea. It was a perfect fit for me and I’m so grateful to be here.
“I still have to deliver. I still have to show them the trust that they put in me.”
City supporters have already seen glimpses of what Ogbene can bring to the side, with his pace and directness offering another dimension in attack.
The Republic of Ireland international is now looking to build his rhythm after completing his first 90 minutes at Bournemouth.
He added: “This is my first 90 minutes in a while, so hopefully I’m going to catch my rhythm again.”
“I want to be dynamic in the transition and help the team off the pitch. I’m trying to cause chaos as much as I can.”
“We all have different attributes and we all have to bring it all together on a matchday for us to be successful.
“I try my best to help carry the ball up the pitch, try to cause problems, get set pieces, and show how dangerous we can be in some phases.
Alongside his qualities with the ball, Ogbene is also keen to use his experience to make an impact within the dressing room.
The winger has already spoken about the number of leaders in City’s squad, but believes actions can often speak louder than words when it comes to setting an example.
He said: “I don’t like just to do talking. I always like to do action. I’ve been in teams where guys, just by their style of play, by carrying the ball up the pitch, they make you believe, and that’s what you have to do.
“I try to encourage. I’m naturally a positive guy, trying to encourage as much as possible.”
And having experienced the highest levels of the game himself, Ogbene is determined to show his new teammates that there is no limit to what can be achieved with the right attitude.
He continued: “Sometimes you don’t have to be the greatest player to get to that level. You just have to have that desire and willingness to work every day.
“I see some really talented boys here with that fire and that hunger, and the world is the oyster for them.”
