The Results:
Since my last post, the first team has played four more friendlies, at home against championship sides, Hull and Burnley, and away against Ilkeston , and local rivals Sheffield Wednesday.
First result: Chesterfield 1-3 Hull City
Not the best performance you'll ever see from the spireites. We started off well, controlling most of the game for the first thirty minutes, taking the lead through a powerful Ian Evatt header in the 19th minute. However, we conceded a sloppy goal from a short corner routine, to the big Hull City defender, Harry Maguire in the 38th minute. In the second half we had very little going forward, and the defense was a shambles. We fell away to a 3-1 defeat, with the last two Hull goals coming from a powerful strike from left-back Andrew Robertson in the 51st minute, then a lack of communication from Tommy Lee and Dan Jones giving young striker Calaum Jahraldo Martin an open goal in the 76th minute. A poor performance in the second half, but we held our own in the first half up against one of the strongest championship sides out there.
Second Result: Chesterfield 3-2 Burnley
First off, what a game! We showed real determination and guts, with young substitutes such as Onovwigun putting in excellent performances. We started off very slowly, allowing Burnley to play their game, and pass the ball around with ease. Burnley took the lead through big Southampton born striker Lukas Jutkiewicz in the 13th minute. Then, less than ten minutes later, George Boyd (who looked to be about five yards offside), made it 2-0 in the 21st minute. Town never gave up though, hitting back straight away, with new signing Jake Orell coolly finishing off a Tendayi Darikwa cross in the 25th minute, to reduce the deficit to one goal. Sixty seven minutes in, and the animal that is Armand Gnanduilliet scored quite possibly the best Chesterfield goal i have ever seen. The ball was looped into a crowded penalty area, and the big Ivorian jumped up and sent a stunning overhead kick shot off the post, and into the bottom corner, making it 2-2 and sending the home fans wild! The next twenty minutes were all about the substitutes. Raglan, Gnanduillet and Onovwigun were all having absolute stormers. In the dying minutes of the game, Gnanduillet sent a low cross into the Burnley penalty area, and Byron Harrison calmly slotted home with his left foot, to give the spireites an 89th minute lead, and secure a brilliant victory against a very strong championship side!
Third Result: Ilkeston 1-3 Chesterfield
A much lesser opponent this time, we were up against a tough, hard working non league Ilkeston side. Early on, Gnanduillet continued his electric form, by winning a penalty in the 14th minute. Jay O'Shea slotted home to give the spireites an early lead. Fourteen minutes later, and it's that man again. Armand Gnanduillet makes it 2-0 with a powerful header in the 28th minute, and the spireites are more than comfortable in this one. However, Ilkeston's hard work pays off in the 43rd minute when they get a goal through Marshall to put them back into the game just before half time. New signing Simons, made it 3-1 against his former side, in the 69th minute to seal a second consecutive victory for the boys.
Fourth Result: Sheff Wednesday 0-3 Chesterfield
In a behind-doors friendly, we beat local rivals comprehensively, with two goal from big striker Mani Dieseruvwe, and one from Jake Orell. Orell scoring his third goal of the pre-season. However, it is believed that Wednesday only played a reserve squad, as they played away at Scunthorpe United the day before.
Transfers:
Outs: Sam Clucas (1,300,000) and Tendayi Darikwa (600,000)
Not much to say really. We seem to be selling all our best players and bringing in sub standard replacements. Since the end of last season, we've lost Roberts (Portsmouth), Ryan (Fleetwood), Clucas (Hull City) and Darikwa (Burnley). These sales combined with the sales of Liam Cooper (Leeds) and Eoin Doyle (Cardiff) have brought around £3.000,000 into the club. with which we could have bought four or more quality players for this level. But what do we have? Two players signed on a free who played non-league last season, a Bermudan striker from Ilkeston and a striker who hasn't been at his best for two years, also on a free transfer. Also, we have signed Leeds' reserve keeper on a six-month deal. That's it. You have to wonder where the money goes...
Ins: Jake Orell (Free), Alex Cairns (Free), Dion Donohue (Free)
These three signings are all decent, but not good enough. Dion and Orell are both young, skillful and determined, but are they what we need at this level? No where near. If these two are in next season's starting line up, then we are absolutely bollo**d this season. Cairns is a decent keeper, but he's not what we need, we need midfielders and a striker. Tough times for the boys in blue.
Rumours:
There are rumours that we are lining up a bid for Jamal Campbell Ryce who would be a great signing and a good replacement for Clucas. However, he is doubtful to start the season, as he is struggling with injuries. We are also rumoured to be looking at Birmingham striker Wes Thomas, who has enjoyed successful spells at Rotherham and Bournemouth, and would certainly be a top player at this level. There's also rumours that we could be signing young MK Dons striker Devante Cole. It's been said that we have been in talks with experienced Ipswich town midfielder, Stephen Hunt who has also enjoyed spells at Crystal Palace, Reading and Hull. There are also talks of us trying to find an agreement with Jerome Thomas, who plays as a left midfielder for Crystal Palace, and has also previously played for West Brom, Leeds and QPR.
Morsy could also be on his way out, with roumours spreading that Burnley could be lining up a £600,000 bid for him, and Leeds, Cardiff and MK Dons are also very interested.
That's all from me! Times aren't looking great, but we just need to get behind the club, whoever's playing, whoever's in charge, there's still only one CFC!
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