Oppositions View - Stockport County

Last updated : 09 January 2003 By Rob Davies

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN SUPPORTING YOUR CLUB?
MW:
Eleven Years

WHO IS YOUR ALL TIME FAVOURITE PLAYERS FOR YOUR TEAM?

Preece - One Of Martin's Favourite Ever Players
MW:
Sir Kevin of Francis is literally head and shoulders above any County player - he sums up everything that Stockport County are about and is an absolute star. Still seen at Edgeley Park from time to time, and always stops to talk to the fans. Other notable mentions include Andy Preece (now manager at Bury) Alun Armstrong, Tom Bennett and Kevin Cooper - a man so committed to the County cause that when we were relegated at Wimbledon last year. He was the first player over to applaud the fans after the game - and he played for Wimbledon! We're sure that in the second half, when he was running down the wing in front of our fans, that he "accidentally" overhit a few crosses so they couldn't score. At Edgeley Park he scored against us once, in the first minute, and the look of shock on his face as he realised what he'd done was amazing. He didn't celebrate and was so gutted it put him off for the rest of the match. Turned up in the away end at Nottingham Forest to watch us, sat with the fans and chatted. A top bloke all round.

WHICH CHANT IS MOST LIKELY TO BE STARTED BY YOUR FANS?
MW:
At the moment, it's likely to be "There's only one Lee Jones"

"There's Only One Lee Jones"
Jonah is our first choice keeper but due to a series of disagreements behind the scenes, he's been placed on the transfer list. He's the best keeper we have at the club at the moment, and the fans love him. We don't want him to go. Will get cheered for doing anything at the moment

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM YOU SIDE HAS AT THE MOMENT?
MW:
We *can* play some decent attacking football. However, if nerves set in, or we have a ropey patch in a game, the wheels can come right off and we look abysmal. We're also having trouble at putting two decent halves together, so if we have a good first half, watch out for a second half collapse. I will say that you'll either see us play well, and think we look quite useful, or you'll think, "These guys are the worst side we've seen in ages". We can play well, just not consistently. It's very frustrating for us. Especially when you live in London and it's a four-hour trip to Stockport, and a depressed and quiet car on the way back down after another defeat.

HOW MANY OF YOUR FANS DO YOU EXPECT TO BE AT THE GAME?
MW:
Not many - maybe between 500 to 700. Attendances are well down after a series of dodgy results - the fans are staying away. The fans that do travel though are likely to be quite noisy, especially if we're doing badly.

DO YOU HAVE ANY INJURIES TO KEY PLAYERS THAT COULD MEAN THEY MISS THE GAME?

Rob Clare - OUT
MW:
Rob Clare is out, an England Under 20 defender who is very highly rated. Which means Carlton Palmer will more than likely be playing at the heart of defence. There have been a few heart-stopping moments with him at the back - he has a tendency to try to dribble the ball out of defence and this usually goes pearshaped, leading to chances for the opposition. When he plays well though, he's outstanding in this Division. Martin Pemberton (him who's dating one of the girls from Girls Aloud) is also out, but he's not had the best of performances in the last few games, so won't be too disappointed if he doesn't play.

WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE GAME EARLIER THIS SEASON BETWEEN THE SIDES?
MW:
Got to be honest, I thought you were the worst side I've seen at Edgeley Park in years (after ourselves, obviously). The game was that boring I resorted to taking a photo of my shoe for the match report, to get any readers to stare at it for a few moments to get the gist of just how bad the match was. I'm sure you don't play like that every week, though. I've seen my County play like that as well, so shouldn't really complain. Maybe we just saw you on a bad day.

WILL YOU BE COMING TO MEADOW LANE FOR THE GAME? IF SO DO YOU LIKE COMING TO THE LANE/NOTTINGHAM IN GENERAL?
MW:
Of course - Have the small matter of playing for the Mad Hatters (County supporters team) against your fans before the main event in the afternoon, so it should be an action packed day. Not been to your ground before, so am looking forward to seeing it. Nottingham itself seems like a pretty good place to go out in at night, and there's a good chance we may be staying there on Saturday night to sample some of the beer. We've been to Nottingham a fair bit in the last few seasons, mainly to visit Forest. Not too impressed with them, given the £19 they were charging to get in, and their fans being somewhat silent, only singing when they started to beat us.

SO FAR HAS YOUR TEAM LIVED UP TO WHAT YOU EXPECTED BEFORE THE SEASON STARTED? IF NOT, WHAT NEEDS CHANGING?

"Needs To Keep Quiet In The Post Match Interviews A Bit More"
MW:
I could write a small essay on this for you - where to start! We've not lived up to what we've expected so far. Last season it was clear that we were going down from about Christmas, and Carlton had the biggest pre-season to get things ready for this campaign. However, despite noises from County about "Fightback to the first" - the reality has seen us struggle. We expected a struggle, but not quite as much as we've had so far. What needs changing? Some would argue simply "the manager". I would disagree slightly, but Carlton does need to keep quiet in the post match interviews a bit more, he gets a little carried away. We also need a stronger midfield. And Lee Jones OFF the transfer list. One think that doesn't need changing at all is Luke Beckett. The guy is class and fast becoming a County legend. I pray we hold on to him. Anyone got a cloning machine? We could do with 2 Lukes up front, and maybe another two on the wings. He does the work of three players. Quality.

SCORE PREDICTION?
MW: Can I get away with County 2 County 1? To you or us, I'm not sure. You're guaranteed a goal though, as we can't keep a clean sheet for love or money right now. Heart says 2-1 Stockport, head says 2-1 Notts.