Johnnie Jackson remains determined to get a positive result at Edgeley Park tomorrow, even though we’ll have to do it without Ronan Curtis.
Our Republic of Ireland international winger was shown a red card in the second half of Good Friday’s draw with Harrogate Town for a foul on Levi Sutton. Our appeal has since been unsuccessful, meaning that Ronan is ruled out for three games.
Johnnie said: “We are extremely surprised and disappointed with the decision not to overturn the red card and will be voicing our concerns to the director of referees.”
Focusing on the trip to Stockport, Johnnie outlined what it will take to get a win at the leaders, as we go all out for the points in an increasingly tight battle for an end of season play-off place.
“We’ll take the game to them,” said Johnnie. “We’re going there to try and win – it’s not about trying to nick something.
“I feel that if we set up right and are bang at it, then we can mix it with anyone. I think we’ve shown that. We have to go there with the right mindset to win the game, but knowing that we’re going to have to dig deep, work hard, and be absolutely committed to get anything.
Josh Davison is pictured giving us the lead, in the 2-1 defeat to Stockport at Plough Lane earlier this season.
“We’ve got to be hardworking, well organised and diligent. We’ll have to suffer at times, knowing that they’ll put us under pressure, but we’re capable of dealing with that. You can also get it really wrong there and they can hurt you, if you don’t get it right.
“They’ve got their ambitions to finish in the automatic promotion places and we’ve got ours to get into the play-offs, so there’s loads riding on the game. It’s the same for both teams and I’m sure that’ll be reflected."
While the game will be deprived of one of League Two’s most exciting players, in the absence of Ronan, Stockport will have another who we know all about in Connor Lemonheigh-Evans.
Having impressed while on loan to us this season, he returned to Stockport and claimed the PFA Fans’ Player of the Month award in League Two for January. He’s also since figured in the Sky Bet League Two team of the week on numerous occasions – his latest inclusion coming this weekend.
“We’d have loved to have Connor with us, but we won’t be wishing him too much goodwill on Monday!” added Johnnie.
“He was brilliant for us. We had a really good time together and a great relationship with him. I’m sure he’ll be wanting us to do well, just not on Monday – and the same goes from us, just not when it comes down to this game.”
“We saw what Stockport did last season and even though ultimately, they didn’t go up through the play-offs themselves, missing out in the final – I liked what I saw.
“We recruited both Ryan Johnson and Joe Lewis from them eventually and I’m sure those two will be desperate to play against their old club.”
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Photos: Pro Sports Images.
