Midfield : Stefan Oakes
By Nathan Jackson
December 31 2009
Stefan Oakes was a signing that got a lot of Imps fans excited. He had previously impressed whenever he played against the Imps, however, lengthy injury problems have hindered him at Sincil Bank and he has had a fair amount of critics for his Dimitar Berbatov style of play.
Signed From : Wycombe Wanderers
Debut : Rotherham United 1 Lincoln City 0 : 9th August 2008
Final Game : Lincoln City 2 Accrington Stanley 1 : 16th February 2011
Stefan Oakes had been a player that Peter Jackson had been near enough hounded into coming to Sincil Bank, but it worked as the midfielder found it 
flattering and turned down a new two year deal at Wycombe Wanderers to join City. Oakes had been part of the successful Wycombe side that had almost won promotion several times and also got to the semi-finals of the Carling Cup, along with Sergio Torres, who would later go on to play for the Imps.
Oakes impressed many City fans in his games against the Imps and could seemingly score for fun from distance, however, despite it being obvious that Oakes has the skill to be amongst the best in League Two, most fans often criticised his commitment to the cause and accused him of being lazy. He has also been highly injury prone, only able to complete a full 90 minutes on rare occasions.
Whatever your opinion on his effort levels, it was obvious that Oakes was a player with the skill to be one of the best in the division. Although he only scored once for the Imps, he set up numerous goals, including the winning goal on the opening day of the 2009/10 season against Barnet.
When Chris Sutton became manager, he said that Oakes was the best player in League Two, but Sutton has also struggled to keep Oakes fit, which is a pity as we often struggle to create chances when he's wasn't in the side.
Oakes had his contract mutually terminated towards the end of the 2009/10, with Sutton stating "Having the skills is only part of being a good player, you have to want it."
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Great game v Chesterfield on Boxing Day.
New contract? I believe he deserves a one year extension (probably on reduced terms???)
I like him, but maybe he should be offered a pay as you play deal.
