HOLDEN ARTICLES

League Two Season Preview 2006/07 - Stockport County

Stockport County

Odds: 40/1

Last Five Seasons
2005/06 – 22 (League Two), 2004/05 – 24 (League One, Relegated), 2003/04 – 19 (League One), 2002/03 – 14 (League One), 2001/02 – 24 (Championship, Relegated).

2005/06 Cup Progress
FA Cup Third Round vs Brentford (h) – lost 3-2.
Carling Cup First Round vs Sheffield Wednesday (h) – lost 4-2 after extra time.
Football League Trophy Northern Section First Round vs Rochdale (a) – lost 3-1.

Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Jermaine Easter (striker) – 11 goals.

Players In
Michael Rose (Yeovil Town – Free), Gareth Owen (Oldham Athletic – Loan).

Players Out
Matthew Hamshaw (Mansfield Town – Free), Ross Greenwood (York City – Free), Ezekeil Tomlinson (Released), Danny Boshell (Released), Harpal Singh (Released), Mickael Wolski (Released).

Stockport County survived relegation by three points last season after staging a comeback to battle their way out of the bottom two. It was a tense finish and the Hatters won just once in the last five matches of the season as they struggled for both form and goals.

This season the club look weaker at the back than they did in last term when they conceded 78 goals following the departure of captain Matthew Hamshaw. The former Sheffield Wednesday regular joined League Two rivals Mansfield Town on a two year contract.

Manager Jim Gannon has tried to plug his leaky defence with the signing of Michael Rose from Yeovil Town. The former Manchester United defender joined on a free transfer from Huish Park and signed a two year deal. The 23 year old spent three months on loan at Scunthorpe last season and made 15 league appearances in the league. The club also secured a season long loan deal for Oldham Athletic defender Gareth Owen.

Gannon has expressed an interest in signing Peterborough United defender Dean Holden, who made 40 appearances for the Posh after joining them from Oldham Athletic last season.

Goalkeeper James Spencer has signed a new two year contract after his present deal ran out this summer. The 19 year old, who has made 87 appearances for the club since becoming the youngest ever first team goalkeeper keeper since making his debut in April 2002 will remain at Edgeley Park until 2008.

Verdict
A goals shortage and a leaky defence do not bode well for the coming season. Despite surviving the drop last term by just three points the bookmakers do not make the Hatters favourites for relegation. The 6/1 on offer should be taken confidently before a few bad results early on reduce the price further.