CARDIFF RETURN TO ACTION
- ccfcinsider
- Sep 12
- 3 min read
Cardiff City return from the international break with a trip to Edgeley Park to face Dave Challinor's Stockport County.
The Opposition:
Stockport had quite the return to League One last campaign and were the division's surprise package. The Hatters finished the season in third, just missing out on automatic promotion. Challinor's side would go onto lose in the Play-Off semi-finals against Leyton Orient.
The Hatters did see key players Fraser Horsfall, Will Collar and Tanto Olaofe depart over the summer, but were active in replacing those and adding plenty of competition to an already competitive squad. Stockport added the likes of Arttu Hoskonen from Cracovia, Mallik Mothersille from Peterborough United, Brad Hills from Norwich City, Corey O'Keeffe from Barnsley, Owen Dodgson from Burnley, Ben Osborn from Derby County, Tayo Edun from Peterborough United, Joe Olowu from Doncaster Rovers, Nathan Lowe from Stoke City, Lewis Fiorini from Dundee United and Tyler Onyango from Everton.
Challinor’s tactics focus on high-intensity pressing, flexible formations (3-5-2 or 4-4-2), and a front-foot approach where teams attack and defend collectively. He emphasizes purposeful possession, with defenders stepping into midfield and wing-backs providing width. His philosophy blends adaptability, hard work, and clarity, creating disciplined yet aggressive teams.
The Bluebirds:
City come into this one on the back of a 4-0 demolishing of Plymouth Argyle. Ryan Wintle opened the scoring, before Chris Willock added a second in quick succession. Second half goals from Rubin Colwill and Isaak Davies topped off a perfect afternoon in the Welsh Capital.
Barry-Murphy’s side could disrupt Challinor’s press by controlling possession, stretching play wide to exploit wing-back spaces, and mixing in direct balls over the top to punish Stockport’s high defensive line. Things Cardiff have done really well in the opening month of the season.
Opposition Player to Watch:
This Stockport squad is littered with quality players, but Nathan Lowe just pips it for me. Despite having a slow-ish start in league action for Stockport, Lowe is undoubtedly an elite talent and a real handful at this level. Lowe stands out as a striker for his intelligent movement, clinical finishing, and ability to link play while exploiting space behind defences.
Lowe is a product of the Stoke Academy. The striker was given his first real taste of senior football last season at Walsall. The forward netted eighteen goals and assisted seven in the first half of the season, leading to his recall. After failing to break into the team back at Stoke, Lowe joined Stockport this summer on another loan deal. Thus far Lowe has netted four in nine in all competitions, with one of those coming in League One thus far.
Last Meeting:
Stockport County 1-1 Cardiff City (2003)
You have to go back twenty-two years since these sides last met, with the point being shared that day thanks to a late goal from Peter Thorne.
Aaron Wilbraham gave the hosts the lead with a left-footed volley, before Thorne equalised late on with a headed effort.
Team News:
Cardiff City - Late decision to be made on Rubin Colwill. David Turnbull back available. Ollie Tanner, Alex Robertson and Eli King remain out injured
Stockport County - Lewis Bate, Callum Camps, Tayo Edun out for the hosts. Arttu Hoskonen availability unclear.
Preferred XI:
GK - Nathan Trott
RB - Ronan Kpakio
RCB - Will Fish
LCB - Dylan Lawlor
LB - Joel Bagan
CDM - Ryan Wintle
RCM - Callum Robinson
LCM - Joel Colwill
RW - Isaak Davies
LW - Chris Willock
ST - Yousef Salech
Score Prediction:
Stockport County 0-1 Cardiff City
Maybe a bit of optimism based on how poor Stockport were in the previous fixture, and whilst I do feel they will undoubtedly improve this one, if there defence afford us just a few of the chances they did to their opposition last weekend, I'm hopeful City could make it count. It will a close and tight game.
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