Pocket Preview 12: Accrington Stanley v Stockport County
The Hatters hit five on Hollywood's big day out. Now they look to extend their winning run with a trip north to Accrington.
I don’t think anyone could have predicted quite what we saw last Saturday, leaving one of the league’s most spoken about teams chasing shadows all afternoon.
Not only is confidence bound to be up, but our position in the league is also improving with each win on this run.
We now sit in 9th place, six points off the top and just one point off the last play-off spot, currently held by last weekend’s opponents Wrexham.
Heading into this weekend, County boss Challinor will want to do everything he can to keep this run going.
Team News
With Louie Barry hitting his sixth goal in six league games, and Tanto Olaofe hitting a hat-trick in spectacular fashion against our Welsh opposition, it’s tough to see the Hatters’ gaffer picking anyone else to lead the line on Saturday.
That being said, we are now approaching the time that Kyle Wootton is due to be returning to full fitness, with the manager reportedly extremely pleased with the way the striker has dealt with his recovery. Some tough choices may need to be made in the coming weeks.
It was joy once again with four at the back, meaning we’ve won every fixture since the enforced defensive tactical switch-up. Kyle Knoyle was pictured back in training this week, so it awaits to be seen whether Challinor once again tries to squeeze Knoyle and fellow right-back Macauley Southam-Hales into the same side.
With defensive injuries causing some of the deepest issues in the squad over the past few weeks, it was no source of comfort to see young defender Ethan Pye withdrawn from play looking to be nursing some level of calf injury.
Thankfully, in his pre-match preview, the County boss confirmed the 20-year-old has been sent for scans during the week and there is no substantive damage at all. It sounds as if he should be available for selection on Saturday.
Opposition Watch
Saturday’s opposition Accrington Stanley head into the game in 12th place, off the back of a mixed bag of form in League Two.
They won’t take any great confidence from last weekend’s result, a 2-0 loss against a struggling Tranmere Rovers side, currently sat second-bottom in the league.
The side weren’t helped by a 42nd minute straight red card for centre-back Jay Rich-Baghuelou, which will rule the Australian defender out for our clash.
Having only missed a few games this season, and playing a full 90 minutes in most of the remaining matches, Rich-Baghuelou will likely be a miss for Stanley. County will be looking to capitalise on a re-jigged defence.
To make matters worse, Accrington’s no.1 Toby Savin was taken off through injury just before half-time at Prenton Park, to be replaced by young 20-year-old keeper Jack McIntyre. Subsequent scans confirmed that Savin will be out for a number of months, not the news Stanley would have been hoping for a week before facing an in-form Stockport attack.
It has led the club to bringing in Jon McCracken from Norwich City on an emergency seven-day loan, who could make his first appearance for the club against County.
The club also have two of their primary midfielders out via injury, who are both unlikely to be back in before we face them.
With County on a good run of form and Accrington dealing with the loss of the spine of their team within the space of just days, on paper we look strong favourites heading into the tie.
However, as we all know, football can be a funny game, and sometimes adversity produces the best performances. There are few easy games in the Football League.
Predicted XI
For the FanHub lovers amongst us:
What do you think? Have your say in the comments below or via Twitter.
Who’s The Ref?
Taking charge on Saturday will be referee Tom Reeves. He’s spent most of this season officiating in League One and last took charge of a County game in our draw against Hartlepool United in the last game of the season last year.
He issued just one yellow card that game and is yet to issue a red card so far this season.
Reeves will be assisted on the day by linesmen Oliver Bickle, Mark Cunliffe and fourth official Johnathon Bickerdike.
Thanks for taking the time to read today’s Pocket Preview. The next instalment ahead of Forest Green Rovers (H) will land on Mon, Oct 2.
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