Stockport County Supporters Messageboard: Re: Fans Forum

"Onto the football stuff.

First (lengthy) question; sorry to see Paddy & others go, clearly going in new direction. Lot of injuries, what are we doing wrong?

DC on profile: 'We want to be 'younger', not 'young'. Paddy went with all our best wishes. Nobody's left on bad terms'.

DC on injuries: 'We spend a lot on medicals and that side of things.'

'Of the 12 injuries, 7 are knees. All apart from Tayo are non contact. We are looking into absolutely everything - it is very variable. We're in a bad place.'

'Burnley positive on Mellon, could be good news.'

Question on Ben Hinchliffe & Corey Addai.

DC: 'Ben has been brilliant & always kept his place under me, he'll take challenge in stride.'

'Conscious decision to work on succession plan for Ben while he's here. A great challenge for them and for us. Two really good goalkeepers.'

Question on Michael Mellon, could we free up those funds to use elsewhere if Mellon's injured long-term?

SW: 'Can't go into specifics of deals but loans are window to window; he's our player in that regard'.

On Ollie Norwood/Dwight Gayle:

SW: 'Low on numbers, we topped up squad to give us minutes.'

'Players who came in haven't signed anywhere; they're in process of identifying next moves. If we wanted to sign them, we have a budget & always make offers within that'

SW and DC both highlight how #stockportcounty has become a "great platform" for footballers.

Appearance of those two last week was 'both parties scratching each other's backs. Nothing further to add on it at the moment and doesn't go any further than that atm'

Question on Louie Barry!

SW: 'Made no secret of wanting him back. He 'feels' like our player but he isn't - we're very respectful of Aston Villa and of all parties.'

'He was with their squad this summer; but the minute it opened up, we pushed to make it happen and got it done.'

Question on the identity of the captain this season.

DC: 'That's easy - I don't know!' (It's a joke!)

'We have several candidates for that role. You'll find out very soon, before Saturday'

Q on young players across the area historically not signing for County

DA: 'That's definitely changed. We have a head of recruitment, two lead scouts and twelve 'spotters' with incentives to find players. They're out there every weekend and it's all coordinated'

Q on 'pathway' to first team for Academy players.

DA 'It looks very similar for our U16/17/18 sides to how we play in the first team. We have the same processes and approach, and the lads are then more prepared when they're on the fringes to take that last step'

Q on transfers - is that us done?

SW: 'Our plan before the summer was to stop now. We have right profile & balance. But with injuries etc, we look at any smart options to get through window in a sensible way'.

'We would never shut up shop while window is open'

Q on length of injuries.

DC: 'Hope to see Tanto involved at Blackpool. Players back in not too distant future beyond that'

'Stretton a couple of weeks, not serious. Tayo is an MCL, he's out around 6-8 weeks. Knoyle, more serious - needs surgery, 3-4 months out'

DC: 'A couple will be back in August and a couple more back in September, then the others out for a more extended period'.

'We always assess it on a weekly basis and while transfer window is open we always review options'

Q on winners/dark horses. SW said Wimbledon last year, DC said Doncaster.

SW: 'Investment/quality means Birmingham favourites. Dark horse, a lot of clubs strong - very tough league'.

DC says Charlton Athletic as dark horses - 'the quality & manager they have'.

Final question on Nick Powell.

DC: 'Nick's got an injury. He knows his own body - we hope to have him back in training this week and we look forward to having him back'."