Chesterfield 0-0 Rochdale: Match Review

Yesterday saw the Spireites play out a fairly dull 0-0 draw with Rochdale. It was probably one of the most lack lustre performances we have seen from the team in these past two seasons. However,  positives to take from the game, are that we didn't lose, and we kept our first clean sheet of the season so far!

Spireites striker Lee Novak

 

 

The first half was a half of few chances, which is surprising considering the quality of the two sides' attacking play. The Spireites could of been 1-0 down in the first half if it weren't for a brilliant save from Tommy Lee with his feet, and then we probably should of gone 1-0 up at the end of the first half, when Lee Novak found Ebanks-Blake with a cross, and the striker headed the ball towards the goal from six yards, but Rochdale keeper, Josh Lillis, produced a brilliant save to keep it at 0-0. Should of scored though really. The second half was played in similar fashion to the first. Rochdale striker Calvin Andrew proved too much for the defence to handle, however no real opportunities were created, until late on, when Donal McDermott sent in a dangerous looking free kick, and Tommy Lee again came to our rescue with another great save. Substitute Gboly Ariyibi brought a bit of life back into the game towards the dying stages, on a few occasions getting to the by line and looking to put in  a cross, however when the crosses went in, there was no one on the end of them. In the last minute, Ariyibi did brilliantly well do get past two defenders, however when he went for the cut back, which several players were queuing up for, he only managed to find the side netting. If he had managed to get it into the box, we may of won the game.  

 

All in all not the best performance from the player, but nothing to worry about this early on. We were up against a team who are likely to finish towards the top end of the table this season, so we did well to get a draw and keep our fist clean sheet of the season. However, if it wasn't for the keepers, there would of been goals yesterday. Lillis' save to deny Blake in the first half was a Premier League quality save without doubt, and Tommy Lee also kept us in the game on more than one occasion. Plenty for Saunders to work with, and a new signing that is rumoured to take place on Monday or Tuesday, could well see the squad completed and possibly ready to battle for another play-off place.

 

My Man of the Match: Tommy Lee

 

 

Spireites keeper Tommy Lee







 

Tommy Lee is one of the most loved players at the club, and it is obvious why when you see performances like the one he made yesterday. He has been with us for years now, and his great reflexes and spectacular dives have made him a definite fan's favourite in the past few seasons. And yesterday, in a game where, let's be honest, there were few Chesterfield performances to shout about, Tommy Lee still proved his worth to our side. He made a great save with his feet in the first half, and made an acrobatic save to prevent Rochdale taking the lead late on from a free kick. He kept us in the game, and if it weren't for him, we could of conceded two or three goals, so for me he has to be our Man of the Match, despite Sam Morsy being voted as official Man of the Match by the sponsors. Their keeper, Josh Lillis, also put in a solid performance.

 

 

League Table after yesterday's results:

 

 

(+1) 1. Gillingham (7GD) (10pts)

(+1) 2. Walsall (4GD) (10pts)

 

(-2)  3. Coventry (6GD) (9pts)                                   Most places moved up: Wigan moved up 8

(+4) 4. Sheff Utd (2GD) (9pts)                                  places after beating Scunthorpe 3-0 on

(+1) 5. Burton (2GD) (9pts)                                       Tuesday, then losing 2-0 to Gillingham

(+3) 6. Swindon (4GD) (8pts)                                    yesterday.

 

(+4) 7. Fleetwood (4GD) (7pts)

(-4)  8. Rochdale (3GD) (7pts)

(-4)  9. Chesterfield (1GD) (7pts)                              Most places moved down: Colchester have

(-3)  10. Barnsley (0GD) (7pts)                                 moved down five places after losing 4-0 to

(+2) 11. Port Vale (3GD) (6pts)                                Fleetwood yesterday.

(-2)  12. Oldham (1GD) (6pts)

(+8) 13. Wigan (-1GD) (4pts)

(-2)  14. Scunthorpe (-2) (4pts)

(=)   15. Millwall (-4GD) (4pts)

(+1) 16. Bury (-1GD) (3pts)

(-1)  17. Doncaster (-3GD) (3pts)

(-4)  18. Peterborough (-4GD) (3pts)

(=)   19. Shrewsbury (-2GD) (2pts)

(+3) 20. Crewe (-3GD) (2pts)

 

(-1)  21. Southend (-3GD) (2pts)

(+2) 22. Bradford (-4GD) (2pts)

(-5)  23. Colchester (-5GD) (2pts)

(-2)  24. Blackpool (-5GD) (1pts)

 

League One top scorers:

 

1. Adam Armstrong-Coventry (5 goals)
2. Bradley Dack-Gillingham (4 goals)
3. Marcus Maddison-Peterborough (3 goals)
4. Nathan Byrne-Swindon (3 goals)
5. Abdenasser El Khayati-Burton (3 goals)
6. Fabien Robert-Swindon (3 goals)
7. Che Adams-Sheff Utd (2 goals)
8. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake-Chesterfield (2 goals)
9. Leon Clarke-Bury (2 goals)
10. Paddy Madden-Scunthorpe (2 goals)