Certainly a better team than Bolton are now. But I don't know how you can say for certain that Lincoln are a better team than Bolton were last season. They've had a decent start to Division 1 and were very good in Division 2 last season. But there is a gulf in quality to the Championship in which every game is incredibly difficult.
But the fact is that Connolly, over the last 3 seasons, has had a total of 5 loans with 4 different clubs in the championship, racking up 80 appearances at that level. Division 1 is a backwards move for him at this stage in his career.
Hopefully the lad does well there this year and earns himself a move to a championship club next season. He certainly seems to have the qualities to do well at that level and has a great eye for goal for a defender/defensive midfielder.