Swindon Town mark a historic day today, hosting in-form Stockport County at The Energy Check County Ground.
The match is the first to be played at the ground since the announcement that the club had purchased the ground in a joint venture between the club and Trust in a 50-50 deal, funded by lifelong fan Nigel Eady, who left millions to the club to be used strictly for the benefit of the club and community.
The Robins will hope to kickstart a new era in positive fashion but take on a Stockport County side who have risen up the leagues since their poor early season form. Stockport were as low as 19th after 11 games but have clicked in recent months and currently sit in 6th, well primed for a playoff place and with one eye on the automatic places.
County have faltered slightly in recent matches, with only 2 wins in the last 6, although they have also beaten Stevenage fairly recently. With that in mind, this League Two tie should make for a thrilling match, with Swindon also just about still harbouring aspirations to mount a last-minute playoff push after indifferent recent results.
Town have one win in five, although they held table toppers Leyton Orient to a spirited draw in that period. Last time out, Swindon managed to produce a typical Swindon performance that reflected their season on the whole, with moments of excitement, comical defending and ultimately disappointment as they returned from Rochdale with a point after a 4-4 draw, which included 4 goals from Charlie Austin.
Swindon have been suffering with an unfortunate injury crisis, but with the potential return of key players such as Joe Tomlinson and Frazer Blake-Tracy, plus the return of Sadio Khan after a 5-match suspension, their line-up could look quite different to their last outing, making this match more difficult to call than may first appear.
With that in mind, let’s dive into the key players for both clubs that could make a difference today…
Head-To-Head
Kyle Wootton (Stockport)
Kyle Wootton has been in great form this season for Stockport, and is their joint top scorer with 12 goals, also providing 6 assists in what has been a prolific season for the striker. The 26-year old has spent a large portion of the past few seasons in the National League, finishing as Notts County’s top scorer before County snapped him up. This season has proven that he is capable of recreating that in the EFL, and Swindon will need to be wary of his height and strength.
Chris Hussey (Stockport)
Former Robin Chris Hussey had a mixed spell with Swindon, often dividing fans opinions. While he never really settled at Swindon, he’s found a home at Stockport in his new position at centre back and makes up a solid defence that have only conceded 2 in their last 5 games, and also includes Kyle Knoyle, who enjoyed a more successful spell at Town.
George McEachran (Swindon)
Much of any positive play from Swindon in recent weeks has come from George McEachran, and Swindon fans will be relieved that the injury that forced him to come off against Rochdale wasn’t serious enough to keep him out of today’s game. Chelsea graduate McEachran signed for the Robins after the January transfer window shut after 18 months without a club, but you wouldn’t have known it. The former blue possesses a technical ability, coolness and positional awareness that has made him an early fans favourite, and Swindon fans should make the most of his time with the club, as it seems apparent that he is destined for big things, which the Robins fans will hope is with them.
Saidou Khan (Swindon)
The return of Saidou Khan should also not be understated. The former non-league man has provided bite and aggression in a midfield that is largely comprised of youth and technical players. That passion has boiled over a few times this season, most recently resulting in a retrospective ban following Swindon’s recent match with Salford, but with Khan in the team, their midfield is more balanced and controlled, while he also possesses the ability to take the ball on the turn and drive through the thirds, something Swindon have lacked in recent matches.
Managers
Dave Challinor (Stockport)
Current County manager Dave Challinor took over from Simon Rusk in November 2021, when they were 9th in the National League. Challinor was able to oversee a change in results that included 6 straight wins and a Manager of the Month award, culminating in Stockport winning the National League and returning to the Football League after an 11-year absence.
After a rocky start to the season, Challinor has once again proved his credentials, turning them from potential relegation contenders to promotion challengers. With some shrewd business, such as the signature of Knoyle in January, the club have strengthened, and fans are safe in the knowledge that they are in good hands under the new owners and Challinor
Jody Morris (Swindon)
Jody Morris is a name not many fans Swindon would have turned to when picking a realistic successor to Scott Lindsey after he left the club. However, the former assistant to Frank Lampard at both Derby County and Chelsea joined the Robins after a long-drawn out process that probably hindered their January transfer window, with confusion as to who would be at the helm likely stalling transfer dealings.
That has been reflected in Morris’ early tenure, with the manager often airing his frustration at the lack of experience and depth in the squad. While results haven’t really picked up since his appointment, a lot of external factors such as injury and suspension, plus a dearth of much-needed experience in the side, have tied his hands somewhat.
His honest assessments have been refreshing though, and there are positive signs at this early stage, The two signings brought in since he came in after the window, likely influenced at least in part by the manager, have performed better than most other signings. If Morris is given freedom to bring in who he wants in the summer, many fans believe the future will be bright under him.
Our View
Today marks a new dawn at Swindon, and there is no doubt that is likely to be felt in the stands in the early stages. If Swindon don’t get off to a good start in the game though, that goodwill is unlikely to last long.
The club has often struggled to build a connection between the players and fans this season, resulting in strained atmospheres, both at the County Ground and away. The game should be entertaining, between two sides that like to play football, but if Swindon don’t start brightly it could turn out to be a long afternoon.
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