DPL v Chesterfield

The team that wins the National League is always a force to be reckoned with as Stockport County, Wrexham and indeed Forest Green Rovers have shown in recent years and although Chesterfield have not yet expressed their best form they are poised to make their mark.

I don't remember many times that we have beaten them comfortably, but I can think back to several defeats even when we might have been favourites, especially away.

The “best team" has yet to be identified and I’m afraid that I do not share the view that we have talent to fill 2 competent competitive 11s at this level. Continuing my theme of daring to question McCann’s management, this must have something to do with him. Of course, without having the imagined luxury of any 11 from 22 to choose from, finding the best or in some cases the least bad occupants of each slot is not easy, but it should be part of the boss’s skill to put each player to the test and make a competent choice.

In some cases, Sterry, for example, he might have to compromise on defensive skill in favour of his value in attack. Some players, like Kelly, who has been a real asset, had a bad game midweek and immediately people want him out. Sbarra who did OK, but who has sometimes seemed almost too small and lost cannot be reintroduced simply because he scored a goal. Yeboah has flair, but needs to couple it with good decision-making and Gibson needs to be more of a team player. Close has shown more enterprise since coming back and you can't really complain about Fleming. Emmanuel showed useful quality, but may need more time to better understand how to fit into a team that might not all be on his wavelength. Broadbent and Senior still need to do more to convince me of their value. Hurst seems to have completely lost his touch.

Lawlor fulfilled his usual passive role on Tuesday, but as soon as he (or Jones) are questioned, people pile in with complaints about TSL who is alert, athletic and quick to react and has yet to begin his catalogue of blunders on any sort of scale resembling the Permanent Two. It just amazes me how many fans are taken in by his ability to make it look as though nearly all the goals he lets in are the fault of the defence and not worth even a token effort of a save. Even when he dived the right way for the Man U penalties he did not convince me he was really putting in a 100% effort. The entire demeanour and vigour of his opposite number provided its just reward.

Our automatic promotion form of 2 points per game is now under statistical strain but the faithful still see us as being more or less on target for the top 3, even though we are down to 0.5 ppg in the last 2 against teams who are 19th and 20th.

Perhaps we may console ourselves with the fact that in the same period Chesterfield have the same average, drawing with Cheltenham at home 1-1 and losing 1-0 away at Port Vale.

Nevertheless, I’m pessimistic and I fear defeat, 1-2 (Ironside/Sharp). If we can win then there is hope that we can get back on track fairly quickly, but if we don’t gel tomorrow, some heads need banging together because I’m not sure there is enough spirit to carry this promotion objective through. Without Craig and Adelukan we really have yet to show there is the drive and sparkle to sustain the long haul to promotion.