Fleetwood Preview: Spireites looking to bounce back

Tomorrow afternoon we face a Halloween trip to North West side Fleetwood, also known as the cod army. Fleetwood are struggling currently and have recently fired manager Graham Alexander. The Spireites will be looking to get back to winning ways after that 3-0 loss to Scunthorpe last weekend.



After a decent start to the season for Fleetwood, winning against Bury and Colchester in two of their opening three games, things quite rapidly declined for them. After that, six games without a win, which included a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Gillingham, caused them to part with manager Graham Alexander on the 30th September, while they were sat in 20th. On the 6th October they appointed former Coventry boss Steven Pressley as their new manager, and since his appointment they have won two and lost two, losing 1-0 to Coventry and 3-0 to Sheff Utd, but beating Burton 4-0 and  beating Barnsley 1-0 last weekend. They currently sit in 20th, with 15 points and -4 GD from 15 games.

Dan Jones and Byron Harrison will miss out tomorrow, Jones being suspended after his sending off last week, and Harrison being out due to a knee injury. Tomorrow we will see the much needed return of defender Ian Evatt, who completed his suspension at the weekend, and we also have a new defensive option in Richard Wood, who has just arrived on loan from Rotherham. Saunders now has four centre backs to choose from, and with Hird being out of favour, and Raglan still learning, it is likely that we'll see Wood and Evatt in the two central defensive positions tomorrow. Since his return from the USA Olympic team, winger Gboly Ariyibi has been out of favour, for whatever reason, but we could see him return to action tomorrow after out lack lustre attacking performance last weekend. Tomorrow we won't have the pleasure of watching a midfield battle between Jimmy Ryan and Sam Morsy, as former Spireite Ryan is suspended due to picking up five yellows already so far this season. Other than that, there's no Fleetwood absentees.

Biggest threat: Robert Grant



The 25 year old versatile striker has been a vital part of Fleetwood's recent improved form. The former Accrington, Scunthorpe and Rochdale man can play either up top or in attacking midfield, and has been in fine goal scoring form recently. He has scored five so far this season, making him top scorer for Fleetwood at the moment. He bagged twice in Fleetwood's amazing 4-0 win over top side Burton, and also scored a last gasp winner in Fleetwood's 2-1 JPT win over Shrewsbury. He also netted once against Gillingham and once against Port Vale last month, meaning he has scored five goals in his last eight games. Not bad. We also need to look out for big 6ft 3 striker Jamie Proctor, who has scored 4 goals so far this season.

My Score Prediction: Fleetwood 1-3 Chesterfield

Despite last week's loss, I am more than confident that we can come away with a win tomorrow. Fleetwood will be without Jimmy Ryan, who is a massive part of their team, and they have also lost Richard Wood, who was on loan for them up to last weekend. With Evatt coming back from suspension, and the arrival of Wood adding to our defensive quality, I think we will be able to keep the likes of Grant and Proctor quiet for the majority of tomorrow's game, and we all know scoring hasn't really been a problem for us this season.

Richard Wood and Liam Graham join the Spireites

Yesterday Dean Saunders brought in top defender Richard Wood on a three month loan from Rotherham United, and also New Zealand U20 international Liam Graham on a permanent deal.



Richard Wood fact file:

Age: 30
Nationality: English
Height: 6ft 3
Position: CB
Teams played for: Sheff Wed, Coventry, Charlton, Rotherham, Crawley and Fleetwood.

Wood is a solid and experienced defender who could plug the hole in our defence which has seen us concede 28 goals in 17 games in all competitions so far this season.

Wood played for Saunders last season when he was on loan at Crawley, and he has recently finished a loan spell at Fleetwood, playing in their 1-0 win over Barnsley at the weekend. He will play as number 34 for the Spireites, and is available to play in the FA Cup. He will make a great partner for Evatt, and also force the up and coming Charlie Raglan to fight even harder for a first team spot. Even though he's only here on an emergency three month loan, he will no doubt give us some more in depth strength and help us boost our goal difference and move up that table. Top signing Saunders!



Liam Graham fact file:

Age: 23
Nationality: New Zealand/Australia (Born in Melbourne)
Height: 5ft 11
Position: RB
Teams played for: Ascoli, Monza and Pro Patria

Liam Graham has represented New Zealand at U20 level, and has joined us after a spell on trial at the club. He also had a while at Coventry, also on trial.

After impressing for the reserve side, Saunders signed Graham on as a player for the future more than for an immediate impact. Saunders said he's 'not a player who will immediately be in contention for a place in the first team, but we feel that we can work on developing him as a player in the reserves'. After returning from his long term injury, Graham provides a strong back up for Saunders. While he hasn't been signed to play for the starting eleven straight away, he could feature this weekend against Fleetwood. Left back Dan Jones is suspended this weekend, so Saunders could choose to play Talbot in LB, and put Graham in RB.

In other news, we have drawn non-league side FC United of Manchester in the first round of the FA Cup. A real footballing club, FC United turned down the chance to be on the telly in the first round game, saying football is for the fans and not for TV. Should be a top day out at a real non-league ground, bringing back many memories of the beautiful Saltergate...

Scunthorpe Preview: Another qaulity ref visits the proact...

This afternoon we saw the Spireites lost to in form Lincolnshire side Scunthorpe United. A decent game was ruined by a quite appalling referee and a very dodgy sending off, and our fans certainly didn't hold back in abusing the referee this afternoon...


Saunders unsurprisingly went with the same starting eleven as on Tuesday night, except for Sam Hird coming in at CB to replace the suspended Evatt. Our real first chance came when Sam Morsy played Blake through after a good solo run, only for the striker to try, and fail, to chip the Scunthorpe keeper from around 18 yards out. Thinking about it, i'm not really sure why he tried to chip him when he was stood on his goal line. Dan Gardner was the next player to have a go for us, with a powerful shot from outside the box, which was goal bound before being blocked away by a Scunthorpe defender. Towards the end of the first half, United started building the pressure and forced a fantastic double save from Tommy Lee, and we were more than happy to go in at half time level after a very even first half. At the start of the second half, the gap in the defence left by Evatt's suspension was beginning to show as we were struggling to cope with the attacking prowess of Scunthorpe's Paddy Madden, Gary McSheffrey and Tom Hopper. This took it's toll when McSheffrey was put through in the 55th minute, and brought down in the box by Jones. Definite penalty, but not a red card. There was at least three more players around the Scunthorpe forward. Paddy Madden took the penalty and sent Lee the wrong way with a cool finish to the centre of the goal. Five minutes later, Talbot was studded in the head by a high foot from Scunthorpe's Jordan Clarke, definite red card you'd think wouldn't you? However, god knows why, the ref only saw it as a yellow, just minutes after sending off Jones. After that it all fell apart really, and in the 63rd minute McSheffrey who was a pain in the arse all game, fired a beautiful right footed shot in to the top corner to put the Iron 2 up. Annoyingly, the goal was assisted by Clarke, who shouldn't have even been on the pitch at that point. The games was wrapped up in the 78th minute when Paddy Madden hit a shot from 8 yards which went in via a few deflections. Very frustrating stuff for the spireites, the sending off changed the game really.

My man of the match: Sam Morsy



The increasingly vital midfielder had another good game today, no surprise really though. He was at the centre of everything on Tuesday and he protected the defence, and he did exactly the same today. If it hadn't of been for Morsy today, we probably wouldn't have made nearly as many chances as we did. His recently formed partnership with Chris Herd is probably, in my opinion, just as good as his midfield partnership with Jimmy Ryan last season. Other good performances came from Tommy Lee and Novak, who along with Morsy, are both starting to look a level above the rest of the team.

Player ratings:

Tommy Lee: 7
Drew Talbot: 6
Charlie Raglan: 6
Sam Hird: 6
Dan Jones: 6
Sam Morsy: 7
Chris Herd: 7
Dan Gardner: 6
Jay O'Shea: 6
Lee Novak: 7
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake: 6

Scunthorpe preview: Three on the trot?

Tomorrow afternoon we will face a visit from Lincolnshire side Scunthorpe United. The Iron have been a pretty familiar face with Spireite fans recently, as we played them five times last season, twice in the league, once in the JPT and twice in the FA Cup. Both times we played at the Proact we won, so hopefully we can keep that up tomorrow...



A rather shocking start to the season, which included losses to Burton, Wigan, Blackpool, Rochdale, Southend and Walsall saw Scunthorpe lingering around the bottom of the table at the end of September. In those first ten league games, Scnuthorpe won only two, against Crewe and Coventry. However, a recent surge of good form has seen them rise up to 16th. In their last four games, they have beaten Fleetwood 1-0, Oldham 4-2, and Shrewsbury 2-1. However, they did lose 2-1 to league leaders Gillingham on Tuesday, while we were enjoying our 3-0 win over Southend. Their cup form has been very Spireites esker, not winning one game. In the league cup, they were knocked out by Barnsley in the first round, the dingles winning 7-6 on penalties. In the JPT, they lost to Barnsley yet again, this time with the south Yorkshire side winning 2-1 in normal time.

Evatt is the only player out tomorrow (other than Angel), due to picking up too many yellows. Chris Herd is available despite worries that he could also be suspended, which is a bonus considering his quality performances in the last few games. There are no other absentees or worries for tomorrow, and Saunders could go for exactly the same squad as Tuesday, except with Hird in CB rather than Evatt. Novak, Blake and Morsy all had fantastic games on Tuesday, so I would be shocked if they didn't start tomorrow, however Saunders has the choice to swap either O'Shea or Gardner with Simons, but I doubt he'll change much from earlier in the week. Saying that, Talbot had another suspect performance on Tuesday, looking behind the pace of the game, and Saunders may choose to draft Herd into RB then put O'Niel in midfield with Morsy.  Darius Henderson, Stephen Dawson, Jamie Ness and Niall Canavan are all unavailable for Mark Robins' squad tomorrow.

Biggest threat: Paddy Madden



Madden is Scunthorpe's top scorer at the moment on seven, and is also the league's joint second top scorer along with the likes of Sheff Utd's Billy Sharp and Bury's Leon Clarke. He has played a massive part in Scunthorpe's recent run of form, scoring the winners against Fleetwood and Shrewsbury, then also netting in the win over Oldham. Other Scunthorpe players who could cause us problems tomorrow are former Spireite winger Gary McSheffrey, who is on two goals so far this season, and also Scott Laird, who has bagged two in his last two games.

My score prediction: Chesterfield 3-1 Scunthorpe

Tomorrow will be by no means easy, but I think we'll come away with all three points. Blake looks so dangerous currently, and with the quality of Novak's play, and the players in the midfield, I think the service to him will be non stop tomorrow, just like it was on Tuesday night. The confidence in the team is definitely back, however I feel Evatt's suspension could leave a big hole in the defence, which Scunthorpe will be eager to exploit. While Scunthorpe have won three of their last four, on paper their results haven't really been anything special. They lost to Gillingham on Tuesday, they just scraped wins over struggling Shrewsbury and Fleetwood, and their 4-2 win over Oldham wasn't really much more than mediocre, so I am fully confident that we will grab a win tomorrow based on the recent form of the two sides.

Gillingham preview: High flyers visit the Proact

Tomorrow afternoon high flying Gillingham will come up to Derbyshire to face the mighty Spireites in  a League One clash which is important for both sides. So far Gillingham have exceeded everyone's expectations, hopefully we can bring them back to reality...



Gillingham currently sit in 4th place in League One, ten places above us and four points off leaders Burton. They've won six of their opening eleven games, the most noticeable of those wins being their recent 5-1 win over Fleetwood, and that 4-0 win over Sheff Utd on the opening day. They've only been beaten twice so far in the league, 2-1 by in-form Colchester, and 2-0 by Barnsley. They're the highest scoring side in the league, scoring twenty two in their first eleven, nine more than league leaders Burton. In the League Cup, they reached the second round after winning 2-1 at top League Two side Plymouth, but then coming short in the second round against Birmingham, losing 2-0. They also had a recent 2-1 win over Luton in the JPT, thanks to a late Bradley Dack close range finish. Despite their attacking flair and quality, Gillingham have similar problems to us in the defensive department. In all competitions, they have played fourteen games so far, and conceded sixteen goals.

Saunders says Novak has a 50% chance of returning for tomorrow's game, and fellow striker Harrison is out for around two more weeks with a knee problem he picked up while playing for the reserves. Super Sam Morsy is back after his suspension he picked up for getting too many yellows was completed in the week in our 2-1 JPT loss to Rochdale. Big striker Gnanduillet won't be available to play as Saunders has decided to loan him out to Stevenage for a month, for whatever reason. So it looks like either SEB or Dieseruvwe will be starting up top tomorrow, and I don't know about you, but I'd much rather see Mani up there tomorrow, based on recent performances. Ariyibi is still away with the USA Olympics side, and he won't be available for us 'til the 17th. Apart from that, there is no recent injury problems, and it looks like tomorrow's line up will be similar, If not identical to the one we saw against Crewe. Ryan Jackson, Doug Loft and Deji Oshilaja will all be out injured for Gillingham tomorrow.

Biggest Threat: Bradley Dack



The 21 year old attacking midfielder has enjoyed the best season of his life so far in the 2015/16 campaign. He has scored five from eleven League One games, playing all of those in midfield. One of those goals came in the form of an absolute screamer against Sheff Utd on the opening day back in August. He has also scored one in the League Cup, in the form of a late equaliser against Plymouth in the first round, which the Gills eventually went on to win, and he has also got one in the JPT, coming against Luton on Tuesday night. So seven goals from fourteen. Pretty good for a midfielder don't you think? Forward Ruaridhri Donnelly is also in decent form in front of goal, bagging four so far in the league, however Dack will be the main threat tomorrow, and could be the difference between the two sides.

My score prediction: Chesterfield 1-3 Gillingham

It's no secret that our defence isn't the most technically gifted even at the best of times, proven by the fact that we conceded three in the last ten minutes against Wigan, and conceded twice against Blackpool. Gillingham will be more than happy about that, as they are one of the best attacking sides in the league. After all they are the top scorers. In the last two games they have netted eight times, so they will be more than capable of getting a few against us. However, they have also conceded four times, so hopefully we'll be able to exploit that with our forward players like O'Shea, Gardner and Simons, and get a goal or two as well. Based on recent form, I just can't see us coming away from tomorrow with a point. I desperately hope the lads prove me wrong though...

Crewe Review: A hard fought, well deserved win!

First off, sorry for the late post, but i was out all day on Sunday and in all honesty i just completely forgot about it earlier today! On Saturday afternoon around 450 Spireites witnessed us finally win another game, grinding out a 2-1 win over North West side Crewe Alexandra.



We started the game off well, dominating in the midfield and looking confident on the ball and in defence. In the 8th minute we made the breakthrough, after Rai Simons put a low cross in the box, and Dieseruvwe just missed it before Dan Gardner latched on to it and slotted the ball home with a left footed finish from a tight angle on the left wing. After that we looked in control, Simons and O'Shea both looking great on the ball, O'Shea also having a chance to put us 2-0 up but narrowly missing the target. In the 36th minute, the ball was bundled around the box, and it fell to David Fox on the edge of the box, and he finished with a powerful shot through a huddle of defenders, leaving Tommy with no chance. Crewe were level, against the run of play. There was a pretty shaky last ten minutes of the first half, with Crewe growing into the game more, but we held on and went in at half time level. We came out stronger after half time, and we were back in front around sixty minutes in, after a botched cross from O'Niel fell to Gardner on the edge of the box, who smashed the ball into the ground, and on the bounce it looped into the top corner to give the winger his second goal of the afternoon. After that there was a couple of scares from Crewe, who never gave in and looked a threat from set pieces, but we managed to hold them off. O'Shea also had a good chance, but narrowly missed, and Morsy also had an effort from outside the box saved by the keeper. In the end we held on to the lead, and recorded a good 2-1 win. Close as expected.

My man of the match: Dan Gardner



The Spireites winger scored his second and third goals of the season either side of the break to give us the win on Saturday. He also looked dangerous throughout, always offering an option on the left hand side. His performances have really improved recently, he looks one of our main players at the moment, after being a fringe player most of last season, and looking a bit suspect early on this season as well. He is now our joint top scorer with Jay O'Shea and Sam Morsy, all three of the midfielders currently on three goals each this season. O'Shea and Simons were other notable performers, O'Shea looking back to his best, and Simons having a great debut, providing the assist for Garnder's first goal, and never once looking out of place.

Player ratings:

Tommy Lee: 7
Dan Jones: 7
Ian Evatt: 7
Charlie Raglan: 6
Liam O'Niel: 5
Dan Gardner: 8
Sam Morsy: 7
Chris Herd: 7
Rai Simons: 8
Mani Dieseruvwe: 7

Subs:

Sam Hird: 7
Drew Talbot: 6
Armand Gnanduillet: 5

Crewe Preview: In desperate need of a win now...

Tomorrow afternoon we travel up to Gresty Road to face North West side Crewe, who currently sit at bottom of League One. However, this doesn't guarantee us a win, as when we played Blackpool on Tuesday they were bottom and look at how that went...



Last season we had two close encounters with Crewe, drawing 0-0 in the away fixture, and winning 1-0 at home on Easter Monday (although it could of been by many more!). Crewe come into the game tomorrow on the back of a 2-1 loss to Southend on Tuesday at home. From their first ten games this season, they have won a measly six points, winning one, drawing three and losing six, scoring ten and conceding eighteen in the process. Their one win came fairly recently away at Shrewsbury, on the 19th September. Their six losses have come against Scunthorpe, Coventry, Wigan, Swindon, Millwall and Southend. They have picked up draws against high flyers Wallsall and Bury, and also against Port Vale. They were knocked out in the first round of their 2015/16 League Cup Campaign by Preston, the visitors going home with a 3-1 win. However, despite being bottom of the league and going out in the first round of the League Cup, they still go into the game on better form than us, taking four points from their last five games, compared to our one. Hard to take in isn't it?

Big lad Mani Dieseruvwe has completed his two match suspension, which he received for a sending off against Coventry, and will be available for Saunders to pick tomorrow if he wishes, however Birmingham loanee Lee Novak is still out injured, which is a big blow for our side, with Ebanks Blake's poor recent form. Saunders could choose to dip into the reserve side tomorrow, and give a few fringe players who are hungry to impress a chance. He could go for Donohue, Simons, Gnanduillet or Byron Harrison in his starting line up tomorrow, as a change of tactics and players is quite clearly needed. Crewe captain Harry Davis is out, with a knee injury forcing him off against Walsall last weekend, and Saunders' son Callum is also out for tomorrow.

Biggest Threat: Adam King



The 19 year old striker, currently on loan at Crewe from Prem side Swansea, has been a bright point in a rather sh*t season so far for the Alex. He has played every game for the side so far this season, and despite not having the best players around him, he has still managed to chip in with four goals in eleven games so far for his new side. One in the League Cup against Preston, and three in the league, against Bury, Swindon and also the winner in their only win so far this season, against Shrewsbury. The Edinburgh born striker, who stands at 5ft 11, spent his early career at Heart of Midlothian, before moving to Swansea in 2014. He then joined Crewe on loan in July and has been their star man ever since. King has also won caps for Scotland at U18, U19 and U21 levels.

My Score Prediction: Crewe 1-1 Chesterfield

Despite the negativity of many fans at the moment (which I can understand), I fail to believe we will be leaving Crewe tomorrow without at least a point. Saunders could have a job on his hands of switching the squad around and, as we have seen so far this season, when players are asked to play different roles or play with different players, it tends to force low quality football. However, if Saunders gives a go to a few youth players, who have shown that they are more than capable, then they will show the drive and hunger needed to push us over the line and get some much needed goals in the bag. Personally, I can't see a win coming tomorrow, Crewe will be just as desperate for points as we are. It would be nice though wouldn't it? A tight draw is my prediction for tomorrow.