Primed to push for promotion
BOSS Jim Gannon has warned his side’s National League North rivals that County are primed to mount a real promotion challenge after a “really pleasing” summer of business for The Hatters.
The County chief has experienced a busy closeseason, with the double exit of Edgeley Park favourites Lewis Montrose and Danny Lloyd kicking the summer off on a deflating note for the Hatters faithful – before no fewer than six new additions bolstered the ranks.
New boys Dan Cowan, Stephen O’Halloran, Sam Walker, Darren Stephenson, Matty Warburton and Jason Oswell join familiar faces in the shape of Young Player of the Year Sam Minihan, stalwarts Michael Clarke and Chris Smalley, as well as promising youngsters Scott Duxbury, Jimmy Ball and Adam Thomas – with Gannon heralding a “pleasing” summer of business.
The Irishman has been in somewhat unchartered territory for County this pre-season in retaining the majority of his squad, with a complete overhaul being the usual order of business at Edgeley Park in previous years.
“I’m really pleased. Firstly, our recruitment last year was decent enough that we’ve ended up retaining two thirds of our squad,” Gannon said.
“But I was mindful that, this season, we needed to add a bit more firepower in attack and a bit more balance to our midfield, and the likes of Stephen O’Halloran and Sam Walker coming into defence and midfield give us just that.
“Up front, with Jason Oswell, Matty Warburton and Daz Stephenson we’ve got really talented players who’ll get us goals. I don’t think your squad is ever complete as a manager, and obviously, people will talk about high profile departures in Lewis Montrose and Danny Lloyd.”
Lloyd departed Edgeley Park on a free transfer for League One Peterborough United, after the Liverpudlian enjoyed a barn- storming season in which he quickly became The Hatters’ talisman and went on to score 29 goals.
Montrose’s departure to Fylde was the more startling of the two, with the popular midfielder – and two-time Player of the Year – penning a two year deal with County just three months prior.
But Gannon is looking to the future with optimism despite the double blow.
He pointed to the arrival of Sam Walker as a major boost for The Hatters’ chances in the coming season, while also admitting that the club had taken a look at former midfielders Gary Stopforth and Elliot Osborne to fill the void left by Montrose.
County’s interest in Osborne is reportedly not yet ceased, with a move for the young Fleetwood Town midfielder still possible after the former Nantwich man impressed in a loan spell at Edgeley Park earlier on this year.
“Danny Lloyd did superbly with us and Lewis was fantastic in his defensive role, but with the likes of Darren Stephenson and Jason Oswell in attack, and Harry Winter and Sam Walker in midfield, we’re looking very well-rounded and stronger altogether. We’ve got lads who’ve got physicality about them to protect the back four, but who can also pick a creative pass and get some goals,” Gannon enthused.
“We had a shortlist of players to replace Lewis, including players who’ve previously been here like Elliot Osborne and Gary Stopforth, but Sam Walker has brought us that balance I’ve always wanted.
“When Sam was at Halifax, I identified him as a target but he went to Salford – we thought we could get him this summer, but the last thing we expected two or three weeks after going full-time with Salford was for him to become available! We can tell just from training he wants to get on the ball and be creative for us, so I’m really pleased with the business we’ve done there.
“That was a hole which we needed to fill with Lewis’ departure, but even throughout the squad with the likes of Stephen O’Halloran providing great depth and experience at the back, and the front three coming in who I believe will add to our threat at this level and even the level above.”