ECHOSPORT talks to Stockport County supporter Jake Smallwood ahead of Saturday’s match at Roots Hall.

From the outside looking in there seems to be a lot expected from Stockport this season. What do the fans think is possible?

“I think when you spend the money we have then expectation is high from the inside and from others.

“Before Saturday’s game confidence was high and a lot of us would have said promotion is possible. It was only one game though and I think a good majority of us would say promotion is still definitely possible.”

You mentioned the opening day of the season, which ended in a 3-1 defeat against Dagenham. Was that a wake up call?

“The Dagenham game was certainly an eye opener. We looked good in the first 10 minutes and then seemed to capitulate.

“Take nothing away from the Daggers they looked good the back end of last season and they look like there going to carry it on.

“I think for us we just need more cohesion as a team.

“We have a lot of brilliant individual players that have their own star quality. We just need that click.

Last Saturday was one game out of a long season and like last year anything can change during the season, you only have to ask Torquay that!”

Stockport, like Southend, are trying to get back into the EFL. How has life been for the club since your relegation from League Two back in 2010/11?

“Where do we start with this question? We have now been out of the Football League for more than 10 years.

“It’s not been easy at all.

“The wrong decisions were made at vital times for the club and people were unfortunately let go that shouldn't have been at the time.

“The club and the fans were hoodwinked with false promises which eventually saw us fall to the sixth tier of English football.

“One thing that has always kept County going is the fans.

“Even when in the pits of the sixth tier we were still attracting crowds of 5k and over and winning the league at Nuneaton in 2019 with 3000 traveling away fans was the start of our rise back.”

The club certainly seems to be in a much stronger position now. What did you make of the summer signings?

“Mark Stott has certainly steadied the ship and made it a force in the transfer market.

“The previous regime did wonders with what they had but now we can go to another level and the signings in the summer have impressed me.

“The loan signings of Will Fish from Manchester United and Arjan Raikhy from Aston Villa are two really good youth prospects.

“I think it shows that big clubs now trust us with their future talent. “The set up we have now with our training ground Carrington and the staff we have in place shows what we can offer.

“The signing of Scott Quigley is clearly showing intent from the board too.

“He was instrumental getting Barrow out of this division and he also did his part last season to keep them up.

“He will play a big part if he stays fit but I think all the signings since the new regime have taken over shows the intent they have to put Stockport back on the map.”

So who would you say is the dangerman?

“I'd say my danger man for us is Macauley Southam-Hales who plays at right wing back.

“We signed him from Fleetwood last year and he is some player. He can beat a man with pace and loves to run at players. I'm led to believe there was interest for him in the summer from Hull. But he has just signed a three year deal at County so he will play a big part this season.”

What’s the team news for the weekend?

“I'm not too sure what can be said about the team news!

“Our manager Simon rusk isn't one to say who's back in contention from injury.

“Scott Quigley pulled his hamstring but I don't think it was serious as first thought.

He may play a part on Saturday, but you're probably hoping not!

You can probably say Paddy Madden and John Rooney will be on the team sheet for sure.”