Corey Addai had another strong performance for Stockport County against Huddersfield Town, as the Hatters confirmed their play-off place at the weekend.
The goalkeeper had a tricky start to life at Edgeley Park, as the reputation of club legend Ben Hinchliffe weighed heavy.
Addai eventually lost his place, but got a second chance when Hinchliffe suffered an injury and has never looked back since.
He was a key player for the Hatters at the weekend, and he’s going to be just as crucial in the coming weeks.
Addai had a strong performance against Huddersfield Town
The pressure was on County to secure at least a point from the game to confirm their place in this season’s League One play-off.
It seemed as though that pressure may have been getting to the likes of Ibby Touray in the defensive unit, who had a couple of lapses of concentration in dangerous areas and gave the Terriers good opportunities to score.
But Addai proved why he can be relied on, digging his teammate out of trouble with smart one-on-one stops that probably should have resulted in a goal.
| Addai v Huddersfield, as per FotMob | |
|---|---|
| Minutes played | 90 |
| Saves | 4 |
| Goals conceded | 1 |
| Acted as sweeper | 2 |
| High claim | 1 |
| Goals prevented | 1.01 |
The gloveman made four saves against the Terriers, used his positioning well to act as a sweeper and was strong from corners, rushing out to claim the ball with a strong catch to soothe an otherwise tense moment.
With a FotMob rating of 8.3, only Ollie Norwood, who provided an assist and scored the winning penalty, and Fraser Horsfall, who levelled the game from a corner, ranked higher.
Addai is finding form at just the right moment.
Addai’s recovery shows he has the mentality Dave Challinor requires
The 27-year-old has not been oblivious to the first impression he made at Edgeley Park, which ended in Challinor having to replace him with Hinchliffe midway through the season.
After the Huddersfield game last weekend, Addai told journalist Sam Byrne: “It was difficult at the beginning here for me, and I wasn’t taken too kindly to by the fans.
“I’ve turned that around and it’s a nice feeling. The defence has been really good this season and it’s made things a lot easier.”
But Addai is not focused merely on his own fortunes.
“I said in my first interview with the club that I want us to go and make history, and I stand by that,” the goalkeeper continued.
“We want promotion, and we have a group of winners.”
That Addai clearly recognised the pressure that was on him initially, had a huge setback, but has made it back in the same season and still has all eyes on promotion and winning shows exactly why he deserves to be County’s main man.
Addai’s important role in securing the Hatters a play-off place has not gone unnoticed, but his work is far from done.
He will have at least two games, the two-legged semi-final, where the pressure is on even more so than in the regular season.
But Addai has dealt with more pressure than most this season, and he’s dealt with it well.
Success in that tie would leave a trip to Wembley Stadium in wait, but the goalkeeper should be prepared for this too.
Only last season was he in the capital for a League Two play-off final with Crawley Town, a game where he made three saves and kept a clean sheet as the Reds downed Crewe Alexandra to ascend to League One.
Should County get there, few on the pitch will have quite so much recent, relevant and successful experience.
Addai was crucial to the Hatters’ win against Huddersfield, but he is set to take on even more importance as the play-offs approach.
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