Here We Go Again

With all the excitement and furore (Wrexham fans aside) over England’s memorable run to the semi-finals in Russia over the summer, as World Cup fever swept across the nation, the diligence and hard work of the many at Stockport County Football Club in preparing for the arduous slog of the season ahead has slipped somewhat under the radar.

And yet, here we find ourselves, pre-season almost complete and the opening game against FC United just a week away. Thus far, results and performances over the summer friendlies have been promising, with many bookmakers already instilling County as the early season favourites for the title; although from a personal standpoint this seems to have made me feel even more uncertain of the months to come, from my own experience, the higher the expectations, the harder County fall. But as ever, in keeping with the magic of being a fan of the beautiful game, as every day marks another step closer to the season’s kick-off, those all too familiar sensations of hope and excitement have begun to resurface, as many of the Edgeley Park faithful once again start to ask that age old question. Could this finally be County’s year? Here we go again.

County's pre-season begins with an impressive 2-1 win over Halifax at the Shay

There is, of course, only so much you can read into a side’s pre-season results. As many of the squad is the same that led us into the playoffs last campaign, little needed to be done in terms of adapting to Gannon’s tactics and style of play. With that in mind, the aim over the summer would surely have been to ensure the player’s all got a good run out and were ready for the months ahead, as well as integrating the new signings successfully. With that in mind, County’s pre-season plans must surely be considered a success, with the likes of Minihan, Turnbull and Thomas, each the victim of fitness and injury concerns in the past, all playing crucial roles. Dimao looks a class act in the middle of the pitch, both in terms of his distribution and his attacking threat from midfield and looks to be well balanced alongside either Turnbull or fellow new boy Jordan Keane.

Mulhern and Bell have both provided a constant goal threat, impressing with their movement and physicality respectively. Their contribution in particular, will be crucial to County’s chances this season following the loss of Jason Oswell to Morecambe. Palmer meanwhile, in both a literal and metaphorical sense, looks to be County’s biggest signing of the summer, an imposing, strong centre half with a rare composure and calmness when on the ball, he should bring a solidity and stability to the back four that the team has missed since losing the shield that was Lewis Montrose two years ago.

Could Ash Palmer prove to be the missing piece of the puzzle in County's defence?

There are, however, still issues to be addressed if County are serious about making a return to the Conference National in 2019, not least the issue of the constant rumours surrounding the club over the current ownership, and the potential investment opportunities from interested parties, including that of one Vincent Kompany. It’s only natural, and if anything, a welcome relief, that the club are so cautious over entertaining any possible outside investment, given the way the club has been treated in the past, however we, the fans have been kept very much in the dark during these ongoing developments and, with the start of the season now just a week away, some form of clarity is surely needed to quell any uncertainty ahead of such a pivotal year in the club’s history.

On the other hand, given the years of financial torment and ruin the club has faced in the last decade, the fact we are now seen as an attractive and viable investment opportunity to suitors is a huge testament to all at the football club and the hard work done to stabilise the club and stop the seemingly never-ending rot. A return to becoming a full-time club is now imminent and has been achieved whist ensuring we also become self-sufficient. The future is finally looking bright.

Could Clear Blue Skies finally be returning to Edgeley?

In terms of the squad, it can be argued that the main issue we will be faced with over the season is a possible lack of strength in depth. In Duxbury we have arguably the best full back in the league on-form, but in his absence, we have few options, as was painstakingly obvious in the play off defeat to Chorley last season. It is possible to switch Minihan out to the left but in the long term, that remains a position that needs addressing. And then perhaps the biggest question mark hanging over the new season, the strikers.

The loss of Oswell will undoubtably hit the club hard, his build up play may not always have impressed but a man of such goal-scoring calibre is hard to find at any level, and to go into the season with a 21-year-old and 19-year-old as our only first team strikers is an undoubted risk; although given Gannon’s track record of working with young strikers, you wouldn’t back against him pulling it off. There must be a degree of patience with both Mulhern and Bell, and in the early weeks a lot may rely on Stephenson and Warburton, playing just behind them, stepping up and becoming match winners. They’re more than capable.

Can Mulhern be the man to provide the goals to fire County to Promotion glory?

All in all, the signs are there that after years of painfully slow but steady progress, this young and vibrant County side may finally be ready to take that next step and challenge for title glory. The promotion of money bags Salford and Harrogate last year has left the league wide open, with the likes of York, Southport, Kidderminster and Chester amongst countless others all expected to challenge. A difficult and exciting opening month of fixtures, with trips to York, Southport and Bradford PA all within the opening weeks, should soon provide a clearer picture as to just how far this side can go. A fast start this time round could be crucial, and a bumper Edgeley Park crowd for the opener against ‘rivals’ FC United provides them with the perfect chance to reignite that spark of belief among the County faithful and send a message to the rest of the country, that Stockport County, is on its way back.