Post by gizmo56 on Sept 20, 2024 21:32:49 GMT
Bit early, as I'm catching a plane tomorrow.
Safe travels for all those going to Stockport.
Stockport County
Last season’s League 2 champions who had the temerity to disrupt the Wrexham narrative (or was that only Act 1?) with 96 goals and 92 points.
Last season’s League 2 champions who had the temerity to disrupt the Wrexham narrative (or was that only Act 1?) with 96 goals and 92 points.
Managed by Dave Challinor who has had loads of success at non-League level, as well as guiding Stockport to promotion. His first test managing in League 1. Probably the only manager with a first-class degree from Salford University.
The club is owned, since 2020, by local businessman Mark Stott who has made his money through property companies. The plan is apparently to reach the Championship by 2027. The club has money, as evidenced by spending £100k on Andrew Wogan, who looks to be a back-up goalkeeper, but not mega-wealthy. In its most recent accounts, the club’s balance sheet showed net liabilities of just under £5 million.
They have had a very busy transfer window with sixteen in and the same number out.
Top scorer from last year Isaac Olaofe remains, as well as Kyle Wootton who has been close to a 1 in 2 striker for the last few years, although Paddy Madden has departed. Lewis Fiorini has arrived from Manchester City for £300k. He is a Scotland U21 international, who has had a season in Holland and is a firm favourite of Michael Appleton, although that should not be held against him. Also highly rated is Lewis Bate, another central midfielder.
Fans are split on Nick Powell but they have picked up 33 year old Ollie Norwood from Sheffield Utd who can pass a ball and control a game. Louis Barry has returned on loan to play on the left wing and has already scored four goals, having torn up League 2 in his brief time last year.
There is one very experienced central defender in Fraser Horsfall who has been partnered by the younger Ethan Pye. Ibou Touray, also very experienced has been the left back with Jade Mingi on the right.
Have been playing largely 4-2-3-1 this year and are undefeated in the league beating Blackpool away, Cambridge and Bristol Rovers at home plus away draws at Mansfield and Crawley. They have only conceded two goals in the League, scoring nine. Expect lots of shots.
In: Lewis Fiorini CM (Manchester City U21, £350k), Andrew Wogan GK (Drogheda, £100k), Lewis Bate CM (Leeds U21, free), Callum Connolly DM (Blackpool, free), Jack Diamond LW (Sunderland, free), Sam Hughes CB (Burton, free), Max Metcalfe GK (Middlesborough U21, free), Jayden Fevrier RW (Colchester, undisclosed), Corey Addai GK (Crawley Town, undisclosed), Jay Mingi DM (Colchester, undisclosed), Michael Mellon CF (Burnley U21, loan), Oliver Norwood CM (Sheffield Utd, free), Louie Barry LW (Aston Villa, loan), Taya Adaramola LB (Crystal Palace U21, loan), Tyler Onyango CM (Everton U21, loan), Ashton Mee Am (South Shields, loan)
Out: Ryan Croasdale DM (Port Vale, free), Miles Hippolyte LM (AFC Wimbledon, free), Connor Lemonheigh-Evans. Antoni Sarcevic CM (Bradford, free), Jordan Smith GK (Hibernian, free), Bobby Jones GK (Curzon Ashton, free), Paddy Madden CF (Chesterfield, free), Akil Wright CB (Ross County, undisclosed), Neill Byrne CB (Bradford, undisclosed), Cody Johnson CM (Kings Lynn, loan), Andrew Wogan GK (Drogheda, loan), Jid Okeke RB (South Shields, loan), Ashton Mee MF (South Shields, loan), Todd Kane RB (released), Taylor McMahon LB (released), Ethan Bristow LB (Minnesota, end of loan)
