Stockport County will be beginning preparations for another League One season after suffering heartbreak in the play-offs.
The Hatters finished third in League One under the rising managerial career of Dave Challinor, finishing five points behind second-placed Wrexham for automatic promotion into the Championship.
Falling into the lottery on the play-offs, Stockport were edged about by Leyton Orient after a tight two legs, with penalties deciding the fate of both sides and seeing Orient take on Charlton Athletic at Wembley for a spot in the second tier.
Despite the original disappointment of missing out on a trip to Wembley, it was a sensational campaign for Stockport given it was their first term back in the third tier, and if they can carry on such an upwards trajectory, then there is every chance they can push for a place inside the top two.
One player who has caused some concern to Stockport this season, however, is experienced EFL playmaker Nick Powell. The 31-year-old had inconsistent spells of game time this campaign due to injury lay-offs, which have hampered his career in recent years.
FLW’s Stockport County fan pundit has discussed what the club should do this summer with Powell given his inability a significant role in their play-off push.
Stockport County advised to sign off Nick Powell summer exit
Speaking to Football League World, Stockport County fan pundit James Cropper believes that the club should look to part ways with the midfielder due to his chronic injury record, insisting the club must regret originally offering a three-year deal when he signed for the club.
“He’s a very talented footballer, and when we were in League Two, you could see that when he played, which was sparse, he was a cut above everyone, which is a reason why we kept hold of him, as when you’re looking to get promoted you need a player that’s a lot better than all the competition.
“But now we’re in League One, and you watch him play, and you think he’s very average for League One. He doesn’t get ahead of the likes of Oli Norwood or Lewis Bate, and the fact of how unreliable is doesn’t make it worth keeping hold of him.
Nick Powell’s 2024/25 stats for Stockport County (Transfermarkt)
Appearances
7
Starts
3
Goals
0
Assists
1
Minutes played
240′
“I was shocked when we handed him a three-year deal, and he is 30 now, so he’s not going to get any better and probably going to get worse, and you know next season he isn’t going to play much.
“He’s constantly injured, and he wouldn’t get into the team anyway if he was fully fit, and if I was the manager, I wouldn’t put him in the team.
“I’d definitely say that if we could move him on, we should, but if he’s fully fit, he’s definitely a good squad player. I’m not sure what wages he’s on, but I don’t think he’s needed anymore.
“He was needed in League Two when you’re in a tight game, and he can pick out a ball nobody else can see, but it’s a whole different ball game in League One.
“If we can move him on I would, but if we can’t, I’d say keep hold of him, but with how few and far between his appearances have been, it’s really not good.”
Lack of appearances makes Nick Powell sale a no-brainer for Stockport County if they can
Nick Powell has proven himself to be a creative outlet at Championship level during his career, and it was seen as a major coup for Stockport to have him in the fourth tier.
Helping to push the side up to League One at the second attempt, just seven appearances this season just shows the extent of his injury troubles.
Powell is bound to be on a sizeable salary given his previous experience throughout the EFL, and there seems little point in forking out such a significant chunk of finances on a player who is so unreliable with his fitness.
If they can find a suitable buyer, then Stockport should heavily consider parting ways with Powell and look to the future by recruiting younger and hungrier players who can keep fit for the majority of the 46-game slog.
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