Who remembers Ian Atkins back in the 2000/1 season when his Carlisle side came down here after the first game had been postponed, then the second gets postponed and Mr Atkins accuses the Imps of being “scared” of Carlisle United. Well that happened again last season as Jim Gannon’s comments after a game against Bristol Rovers was called off inspired the Gas to turn from a side heading from midtable mediocrity to the Playoff winners, cheers Jim. 

That’s just one example of Gannon moaning when things don’t go his way and his constant bitching has seen him make few friends in this division. 

Last season’s meetings between the Imps and the Hatters were two very different games. At Edgeley Park table-topping Lincoln dominated the early exchanges before then taking the foot off the gas big style of Stockport deservedly won 2-0. The game at Sincil Bank was one of Lincoln’s most controlling games of the season, but only some good saves prevented Stockport leaving with an absolute thrashing. 

It was a fairly decent season for the Hatters as they only missed out on the Playoffs on the final day, that was mainly due to a record breaking run of winning 9 games in a row without conceding. However, much like Bristol Rovers they were heading for midtable mediocrity before that run. They ended the run placed 6^th in the table but then they struggled and a run of just 2 wins in 11, including a 7-2 thrashing at home to Rochdale, saw them finish outside of the Playoff zone. 

The Hatters are a side that seem to heavily rely on long ball tactics, only reverting to decent football once around the area. Obviously these tactics are based on what I have seen of them under Gannon but I’ve heard several other sides complain about their directness. 

Stockport have only added one new face to their squad and that is Paul Tierney from Blackpool. He joins a squad that has talent in all areas but is seemingly reluctant to score goals. Anthony Elding, Liam Dickenson and Adam Proudlock are the 3 main strikers and scored just 22 goals between them for Stockport last season, a record that doesn’t exactly set the world alight. 

For this reason I think that although they will do well again, the lack of consistent firepower upfront will probably cost them a Playoff place and I have a feeling that they will finish 8^th for the second season in a row.

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