I was rifling through the local radio stations last night on my way back from Brackley to find any commentary of the late League One games.
I was shocked to hear that Burton only played TWO pre-season friendlies this summer despite all the signings they’ve made - I don’t know how much it’s got to do with the timing of the takeover but it sounds like it could either come back to bite them hard or it’ll pay off during the back end of the season.
Peter Walton is also a Northampton fan and was doing co-commentary on their game at Bristol Rovers - it was good to actually hear him sound exciting and engaging compared to his rather wooden presence on TV.
Manager: Dave Challinor. After starting off at Colwyn
Bay Challinor has spent the majority of his managerial career in non-league.
After 2 promotions with Colwyn, he left to take over at Fylde, who he guided to
3 promotions, he then managed one at Hartlepool, before 2 with current team
Stockport. Overall win percentage: 53.4%
Players in: Jay Mingi - Colchester (Undisclosed), Jayden
Fevrier - Colchester (Undisclosed), Jack Diamond - Sunderland (Free), Callum
Connolly - Blackpool (Free), Lewis Bate - Leeds (Free), Corey Addai - Crawley
(Undisclosed), Sam Hughes - Burton (Free), Lewis Fiorini - Manchester City
(Undisclosed), Michael Mellon - Burnley (Loan), Tayo Adaramola - Crystal
Palace (Loan), Louie Barry - Aston Villa (Loan)
Key Players Out: Antoni Sarcevic – Bradford, Ryan
Croasdale – Port Vale, Akil Wright – Ross County, Paddy Madden - Chesterfield
3 players to watch: Isaac Olaofe, Olaofe came though
at Millwall, but the 24 year old didn’t have his breakthrough year until last
season, when he grabbed 20 league goals for high scoring Stockport. They have
plenty of options up front but if Olaofe keeps up last seasons form he will be
a handful in League One. Lewis Bate, like Olaofe is another south
Londoner, was signed at one point by Leeds for £1.5m. That move didn’t really
work out for him, but after a promising second half of last season on loan at
MK Dons he earned this permanent move. Could be one of the best ball playing
Midfielders in the League if he starts living up to his potential. Sam
Hughes, after over 100 appearances for Burton Hughes made the move to
Stockport. The centre back has plenty of League One experience and should be a
solid signing for Challinor’s side.
Player you might not have heard of to keep an eye on: Tayo
Adaramola (Defender), promising 20 year old left back. He played 14 games in
the Belgian top flight last season, but is yet to make an impact in English
football. Should see plenty of game time this season.
Summary: Stockport last season were the best side in
the division on their way to becoming Champions. They scored the most goals and
had the second best defence in the league. Since then they have recruited very
well. They’ve added a mixture of experience and youth, with some highly rated
youngsters and players that had good seasons in League Two.
Although Stockport might have lost last season’s second top
scorer Paddy Madden, they still have top scorer Isaac Olaofe and Kyle Wootton,
who has been their top scorer through pre-season. Louie Barry is also back on
loan, and promising young forward Michael Mellon who got 13 in 22 in League Two
last season. Stockport should have more than enough firepower to compete.
Defensively the additions of one of League Two’s best
Goalkeepers last season Corey Addai, and the experience Hughes are upgrades.
Whilst promising youngster Adaramola should be a big help at left back.
This Stockport team is better than the 4 teams that got
promotion the season before last. They showed what can happen when you have
momentum, a good manager, and recruit well. Stockport have recruited even
better than they did, if Stockport are in the top half at the end of the season
no one should be surprised.
Manager: Dave Challinor. After starting off at Colwyn
Bay Challinor has spent the majority of his managerial career in non-league.
After 2 promotions with Colwyn, he left to take over at Fylde, who he guided to
3 promotions, he then managed one at Hartlepool, before 2 with current team
Stockport. Overall win percentage: 53.4%
Players in: Jay Mingi - Colchester (Undisclosed), Jayden
Fevrier - Colchester (Undisclosed), Jack Diamond - Sunderland (Free), Callum
Connolly - Blackpool (Free), Lewis Bate - Leeds (Free), Corey Addai - Crawley
(Undisclosed), Sam Hughes - Burton (Free), Lewis Fiorini - Manchester City
(Undisclosed), Michael Mellon - Burnley (Loan), Tayo Adaramola - Crystal
Palace (Loan), Louie Barry - Aston Villa (Loan)
Key Players Out: Antoni Sarcevic – Bradford, Ryan
Croasdale – Port Vale, Akil Wright – Ross County, Paddy Madden - Chesterfield
3 players to watch: Isaac Olaofe, Olaofe came though
at Millwall, but the 24 year old didn’t have his breakthrough year until last
season, when he grabbed 20 league goals for high scoring Stockport. They have
plenty of options up front but if Olaofe keeps up last seasons form he will be
a handful in League One. Lewis Bate, like Olaofe is another south
Londoner, was signed at one point by Leeds for £1.5m. That move didn’t really
work out for him, but after a promising second half of last season on loan at
MK Dons he earned this permanent move. Could be one of the best ball playing
Midfielders in the League if he starts living up to his potential. Sam
Hughes, after over 100 appearances for Burton Hughes made the move to
Stockport. The centre back has plenty of League One experience and should be a
solid signing for Challinor’s side.
Player you might not have heard of to keep an eye on: Tayo
Adaramola (Defender), promising 20 year old left back. He played 14 games in
the Belgian top flight last season, but is yet to make an impact in English
football. Should see plenty of game time this season.
Summary: Stockport last season were the best side in
the division on their way to becoming Champions. They scored the most goals and
had the second best defence in the league. Since then they have recruited very
well. They’ve added a mixture of experience and youth, with some highly rated
youngsters and players that had good seasons in League Two.
Although Stockport might have lost last season’s second top
scorer Paddy Madden, they still have top scorer Isaac Olaofe and Kyle Wootton,
who has been their top scorer through pre-season. Louie Barry is also back on
loan, and promising young forward Michael Mellon who got 13 in 22 in League Two
last season. Stockport should have more than enough firepower to compete.
Defensively the additions of one of League Two’s best
Goalkeepers last season Corey Addai, and the experience Hughes are upgrades.
Whilst promising youngster Adaramola should be a big help at left back.
This Stockport team is better than the 4 teams that got
promotion the season before last. They showed what can happen when you have
momentum, a good manager, and recruit well. Stockport have recruited even
better than they did, if Stockport are in the top half at the end of the season
no one should be surprised.
Starting to think I should have said playoffs.
Decent squad and well run club. Barry is an excellent loan signing.
Comments
I was shocked to hear that Burton only played TWO pre-season friendlies this summer despite all the signings they’ve made - I don’t know how much it’s got to do with the timing of the takeover but it sounds like it could either come back to bite them hard or it’ll pay off during the back end of the season.
Peter Walton is also a Northampton fan and was doing co-commentary on their game at Bristol Rovers - it was good to actually hear him sound exciting and engaging compared to his rather wooden presence on TV.
Three in three for Louie Barry.