Stockport County were flying high in League Two in mid-November after the Hatters shot to the top of the table following 12 consecutive league wins.
It wasn’t just the run itself that caught the eye, but the manner of victories over some of League Two’s toughest opponents emphasised the club’s true title credentials. A 2-1 victory at AFC Wimbledon kickstarted the upturn in form for Dave Challinor’s side. Following wins against MK Dons (2-1) and Wrexham (5-0) provided the catalyst for confidence in the Hatters’ ranks.
More impressive performances followed against play-off-hopefuls Crewe and Harrogate, as Stockport sat top of the tree after a stunning opening to the League Two season.
Fast forward three months and Challinor’s side is clinging onto first place.
A late November loss at Newport stunned the Hatters and they have never truly recovered. Just five league wins in 14 since that blow at Rodney Parade has seen Stockport’s lead cut to just one point over second-placed Mansfield. Wrexham and Crewe are also among the chasing pack, with both sides just four points behind Stockport.
Ultimately, Challinor’s outfit has done little to shake the nerves lately. The Greater Manchester side lost back-to-back games in their last two – the first time they have suffered successive League Two defeats since defeats to Gillingham and Walsall in the first two fixtures of the campaign.
These setbacks have given Challinor a serious reality check. It is crunch time, and the Hatters’ boss must rally his troops for a big final push to ward off the challengers by addressing these key pinch points.
Suring Up at Right Back and Stopping the Set Piece Rot
As the highest scorers in League Two this season with 66 goals from 32 matches, Stockport have little to worry about in the final third.
However, any previous defensive solidity to compliment a free-flowing attack consisting of 17-goal striker Isaac Olaofe has deserted the Hatters in recent weeks.
Stockport has failed to keep a clean sheet in their last seven matches. Moreover, only two sides have conceded more goals than the Hatters’ eight in the last three League Two matches. Ultimately, this leaky backline has led to the club’s consecutive defeats at home against Crewe (3-1) and at Tranmere (4-0).
In particular, the Hatters’ defensive frailties were exposed from set pieces and on the right side of defence in both defeats.
Crewe and Tranmere launched over half of their attacks (which Whoscored noted as 48% and 53%) towards Stockport’s right flank. Both sides spotted a weakness in right back Lewis Cass, who was subbed off at halftime in the Tranmere loss.
But the club’s set-piece frailties were brutally exposed in the losses. Tranmere’s three goals came from set pieces, while all three of Crewe’s goals came from corners or free-kicks. As a result, Stockport have shipped 15 goals from corners or free-kicks in League Two this season, with only Harrogate (16) conceding more, as recorded by Whoscored.
Up next for the Hatters is a tough-to-beat Gillingham side, who incidentally have a decent scoring record from set-pieces, notching 12 goals from such situations this season. Challinor will demand mass improvements in defending corners and free-kicks at Priestfield Stadium on Tuesday, especially after the 48-year-old coach blasted his side’s commitment in the defensive third following the defeat at Tranmere.
Improving on the Road
The infamous 2-1 loss at Newport in November has led to some contrasting Stockport away from recently. Challinors’ side have won twice in their last six away league matches, which came against Doncaster (5-1) and relegation-threatened Grimsby (3-1).
While such convincing wins show Stockport’s ability to brush aside opponents lower down the division, their struggles to pick up positive results against top-half teams will be a concern.
In addition, the Hatters have proven themselves to be slow starters recently, often conceding first and having to claw back into contests on the road. Recent draws at Morecambe and Barrow saw Stockport concede first. Inevitably, the Hatters relied on second-half equalisers in each contest to salvage a point.
In contrast, when the Hatters have gone ahead in League Two this season, they have shown a knack for closing out their advantage. Currently, the Greater Manchester side has the best return in League Two after leading, securing victories in 18 of 20 games where they have led. The club has also dropped just four points from winning positions, as recorded by Transfermarkt.
After the 4-0 thrashing at Tranmere, Challinors’ side have an opportunity to hit back at play-off chasing Gillingham on Tuesday evening. A positive result here, with early goals and few opportunities to concede, could galvanise the Hatters for another big push for the title.
Moreover, away form could be essential for a successful League Two victory. After Gillingham, Stockport face six consecutive away matches against sides currently in the bottom half of the table.
The Hatters have the platform of a strong points tally to kick on with. Although, if the issues of defending set pieces and failing to take initiative on the road continue, the club’s chances of getting back into League One for the first time since 2010 continue to diminish.
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