Port Vale transfer success always a Stockport County blueprint worth repeating | OneFootball

Stockport County could look in an unlikely place for inspiration as the January transfer window draws to a close

Stockport County can take firm inspiration from their loan deal that brought Lewis Cass from Port Vale in the 2023/24 winter window.

The Hatters were dealing with injuries and opted for a deadline-day move to temporarily bring Cass to Edgeley Park to plug the gap.

He may not be the first name on fans' minds when discussing successful deals, but he’s a strong example of a solid addition to meet a specific need.

County met similar issues 12 months down the line — they wouldn’t go far looking back to the Cass deal as inspiration.

The Hatters had an unexpected gap to fill

Had it not been for County’s League Two title win and subsequent promotion, 2023/24 would have been remembered as a season ruined by injury.

That was a factor in Cass’s signing, with right-back Kyle Knoyle having been the latest to succumb to the unwanted trend.

Speaking to the club’s website for the signing, director of football Simon Wilson said: “Lewis is a good footballer who brings nice versatility for us down in the right defensive positions, and comes to help us after the unfortunate recent loss of Kyle Knoyle.

“His experience and quality means he is ready to slot right in. It’s a real positive that he’s worked with Dave previously and already lives locally, so can come in and hit the ground running.”

Lewis Cass played a vital role for Stockport County

The defender was never one of the first names on the teamsheet, but he did make nine League Two appearances for the Hatters, seven from the start, at the beginning of a dramatic final run-in.

His adaptability proved useful, with manager Dave Challinor no stranger to trying new shapes, and Cass ability to fill in at centre-back and right-back.

In an injury-ravaged season, he proved himself a capable deputy who played a key role in sustaining County’s title charge.

With County having a few examples of bringing loan players in to little impact, Cass is a shining light of how the Hatters should use the loan market.

County could use a similar deal 12 months down the line

Stockport’s injury predicament is nowhere near as calamitous a year later, but they could certainly use a similar deal.

Challinor is still favouring three at the back and, with Fraser Horsfall injured, Ethan Pye stands as the only natural centre-back in the squad.

Both Kyle Knoyle and Callum Connolly can fill in there, as they have done so to great success in the interim, but one more injury may force Challinor into a change in shape that he doesn’t want to make.

If County could find another player like Cass, who can deputise in a number of different positions and will be happy fighting for starting positions, it would put County in a much better position heading towards the business end of the season.

Cass may not be the first name mentioned by County fans when discussing deals to follow, but it was a solid acquisition that met a need at that time — it would be smart for the club to try and follow the same method again.