League One Play-Off Semi-Final Preview – Gab Sutton

Stockport County are hoping to continue their meteoric rise up the divisions, as they target Championship football just six years after winning the National League North title in 2018-19.

Boss Dave Challinor has been responsible for the bulk of that rise, and key to how well the Hatters have adapted to losing star forward Louie Barry, on loan from Aston Villa, in January.

The exit has allowed mobile target man Kyle Wootton and athletic striker Isaac Olaofe to operate closer together and establish a serious pairing, while Oli Norwood has brought expert service from deeper midfield alongside the legs of Will Collar and Owen Moxon.

Elsewhere, Brad Hills and Ethan Pye are showing their talents in central defence, and both look ready for the pressures of the play-offs.

With that in mind, County are understandably favourites to reach the final, although Leyton Orient are the form team, finishing their league campaign with six wins on the spin.

Richie Wellens’ side began the season with a high base performance level, without quite getting the results they deserved, but things have since clicked in the final third with Dan Agyei, Jamie Donley and Charlie Kelman all catching fire.

Nonetheless, it’s hard to look past this Stockport side.

Since boss Nathan Jones made a subtle tactical tweak in December, converting from a flat 3-5-2 to one that can morph into a 4-2-3-1 with possession, Charlton have won a whopping 19 of their last 27 league games.

The Addicks have added new attacking layers to the defensive base they established in the first half of the season, with the control of Conor Coventry, the dynamism of Greg Docherty, the pace of Tyreece Campbell, the skill of Thierry Small and the prolificacy of Matty Godden – all banded in a strong overall system.

Plus, the South Londoners boast one of the top defenders in League One in Lloyd Jones, who has won the most aerial duals per game in the division.

Most importantly, though, they have a manager in Jones with a real fire and passion, who knows how to build teams that rise to the big occasions.

Opposite number Mike Dodds, of Wycombe Wanderers, is an excellent coach, with a glowing reputation from Sunderland, especially in the developmental scene, but unproven as a number one in senior football – and they’re very different things.

Since Dodds replaced Matt Bloomfield in the Adams Park hot-seat in February, the Chairboys have taken 25 points from 17 league games – far from a disgraceful return, but a clear drop-off.

As such, Charlton are rightly favourites, with managerial experience being a key factor.