Stockport County... In Focus

Last updated : 16 December 2006 By Paul Smith

Just six points from the final Playoff spot, and with a game in hand, Stockport have exceeded all expectations to be the surprise package of this League 2 season.

Gannon... On the up
After escaping relegation to the Conference on a nail biting final day last May, particularly after struggling down there all season, few would have saw the turnaround Jim Gannon has masterminded.

Especially so after a start that saw the bookies plunge for them as one of the favourites for the drop. The Hatters picked up only one win from their first seven league games, and Gannon's job seemed to be on the line. However only one defeat in their last ten league games has saw them surge right up the table. It is hard to put a finger on why the change around has been so dramatic, and it seems they have caught up with the early season pacesetters without registering on many people's minds. The opposition will have to take notice now!

The 5-2 victory over Darlington at Edgeley Park last weekend was the crowning moment of their season so far, and with fixtures against the likes of Bury, Wycombe and Notts County coming up, Stockport have a great chance of consolidating their position around the Playoff zone.

Also, Premiership Watford await them on Fa Cup Round Three day.

Manager: Jim Gannon

League position (on December 15th 2006): 10th

Dinning... Shining light

Top goalscorer: Adam Le Fondre has bagged six goals only, but it still has him at the top of County's charts!

Goals for: 27

Goals against: 26

Player of the season so far: No one player seems to have stood out, with a collective team effort the main thing. Tony Dinning has been a shining light though.

V Notts: The Magpies were victorious by a goal to nil at Meadow Lane on a cold Tuesday night at the end of September. They host Notts on Boxing Day.

Drapes' Prediction: 16th. Surely they can't keep up to the pace with a lack of proven goalscorers.