Stockport County will stick with Corey Addai as their starting goalkeeper against Doncaster Rovers as his first league start in months ended in defeat.
The former Crawley Town shot stopper was finally given the nod over Ben Hinchliffe against Stevenage, marking the first time he has started a game since their September draw with league leaders Cardiff City.
Defeat Does Not Deter Challinor
However, it was not County’s best day at the races, with the Hertfordshire side overcoming an early Adama Sidibeh goal to claim all three points and pull them ever closer to a place in the top six.
Stockport were somewhat aided by defeats to playoff rivals in Bradford City and Huddersfield Town, but have lost some of their margin of error to the teams in seventh and eighth.
Speaking following the match, Dave Challinor confirmed his plans to stick with Corey Addai when his side host Doncaster Rovers in the semi-final of the EFL Trophy. (Quotes via Sam Byrne):
“I’ve spoken (to both players) – Corey played today and will play on Tuesday, and then we’ll see where we’re at.”
“They’re different in terms of attributes, but Corey was taken out of the team out of a series of performances and is feeling he needed a ‘reset’ moment, and that’s how I felt this week (with Addai coming back in).”
“Like I’ve just said to the players, don’t think that because it’s a cup competition, don’t think I won’t play a team that wants to progress and win.”
“Players will get opportunities, but I’m not going to play people just for the sake of it – you maybe do that earlier on, but the competition takes on a new perspective (at this stage) and we’re ninety minutes from a Wembley final. Regardless of making changes, I pick a team I think can win every game and that’ll be the case on Tuesday.”
Addai Needs To Take Chance
While he had some bright spots with four saves made across the match, it was hardly a standout performance for Corey Addai which would stake his claim to play in the league more regularly.
It was a tough performance all round for Stockport County on the day, with little to write home about except perhaps Adama Sidibeh continuing to prove why he was a brilliant addition to make from St. Johnstone in January with his fourth goal in eight matches.
Addai has been a strong player in County’s EFL Trophy campaign so far and it is not a shock for him to start against Doncaster, but it does seem he is starting to run out of chances to fully take over from Ben Hinchliffe as County’s first choice.
The 37-year-old has shown no signs of slowing down in his efforts and is a much more assured figure between the sticks than his teammate, barring the error made during their tough loss to Burton Albion.
