The Game
Stockport County v Argyle. Edgeley Park. Saturday, 31 January. 3pm. Sky Bet League One.
The Opposition
Stockport are fourth in League One, with 49 points from 28 games, having won 14, drawn seven and lost seven.
Stockport won their first two games of the season, and although they won just one of their next five, hit good form in September and October, winning five in six, and were top of the table at that point.
However, consecutive 3-0 losses, to Luton Town and Peterborough United, put a dent in that momentum. There followed a run of mixed form; three wins, two draws and three defeats.
In their last four, though, Stockport have returned to their best, winning at home against Huddersfield Town and Rotherham United, drawing at leaders Cardiff City, then beating Blackpool 2-1 on Tuesday.
The Gaffer
Dave Challinor spent the majority of his playing days in the North West, featuring on the pitch for Tranmere Rovers, Stockport County, Bury and Colwyn Bay.
The former defender became player-manager at Colwyn Bay in 2010. In his first season in charge, Challinor led his side to promotion into the Conference North, as well as success in the North Wales Coast Cup. It did not take long for Challinor to be picked up by another club, as AFC Fylde made him their new manager in 2011.
Eight seasons were spent with Fylde, in which Challinor achieved three non-league promotions. Under Challinor’s leadership, Fylde also won the FA Trophy in 2019, the first time the club have ever achieved that feat. Early on during 2019/20, with Fylde struggling, they parted ways with Challinor; he would go on to join divisional rivals Hartlepool United.
Within two seasons, Challinor had achieved another promotion, taking the Pools back to the EFL. However, four months into the new season, Challinor departed Victoria Park to join Stockport County in the National League.
He won the fifth-tier title in the season in which he joined part-way through. After failure in the play-offs during their first season in League Two, Challinor led Stockport to the title the following season, and then suffered play-off heartbreak last term.
The Squad
Stockport have recently re-signed forward Tanto Olaofe, on loan. Olaofe was a Millwall player who impressed in loan spells at Sutton United, then signed for Stockport in 2023. After scoring 36 in 121 for County, he moved to Charlton in the summer, but returned to Edgeley Park on Wednesday.
Kyle Wootton (above) is one of only two players to have scored more league goals than Lorent Tolaj this season. The 29-year-old forward has 13 in 28 games. Wootton is now in his fourth season with Stockport, having spent three years in the National League with Notts County.
Ethan Pye is the only player to have started all 28 league games for Stockport this season. The 23-year-old central defender is through the County ranks, and had loans out with Spennymoor Town and Gateshead before breaking into the Stockport team in 2023/24.
Previous meeting
Earlier this season, Argyle beat Stockport 4-2 at Home Park. The Greens led through an own goal and a Caleb Watts strike, before Oliver Norwood scored a penalty just before half-time. Bradley Ibrahim scored for Argyle, soon after the break, and Lorent Tolaj later added his first league goal, before Kyle Wootton scored a very late consolation.
A Strip for the Trip
Argyle will be wearing their black away kit for this game.
Argyle TV
Argyle TV’s coverage will begin with Argyle Breakfast, at 10am. Hosts Erin Black and Aaron Cusack will be joined by various guests as they set the tone for match day.
The Pre-Match Show starts at 2.30pm, with Charlie Price alongside Ian Stonebridge. They will then hand over to the stadium for live commentary from Rob McNichol and former Argyle midfielder David Norris.
Match passes to watch this game are available overseas. CLICK HERE for more information.
