Monday 27th February 2012
It's top versus bottom tomorrow (Tuesday 28th February) as high flying League One leaders Charlton come to the b2net.
It's the second trip the Addicks have made here in just over a month - the last game was postponed the morning of the scheduled game due to a severe overnight frost.
Chris Powell's side are currently 7 points clear of second placed Sheffield United and looking odds on for promotion, having only lost twice in the league so far.
The Spireites know though that they can beat the top teams having snatched three points from the Owls at home a fortnight ago - and are looking to bounce back after a late goal on Saturday at Meadow Lane denied them at least a point against Notts County.
 Chesterfield are ironically one of the in-form teams in the division at the moment, but remain bottom of the league table. Desperate to secure a run of 3 point games that will lift them away from the relegation zone and danger, the Blues have everything to play for.
Assistant Manager Tommy Wright (left) spoke with the press today ahead of training and shared his thoughts on the upcoming game. He says they are confident they can upset the Addicks continued promotion push and gain the spoils tomorrow, despite their league positions.
I guess disappointment is the word that best sums up the game on Saturday?
"We were disappointed with the first half performance. I thought we were poor and the pitch was difficult, but we never seemed to have a lot of energy about us, never really created anything. The second half I thought we improved, we were the better team and I thought Jordan (Bowery) changed the game a bit when he came on, stretched them a bit and they were worried about his pace. He had a couple of opportunities, maybe could have scored, but I thought he improved us when he came on. Obviously Jimmy (Juan) getting an injury was a massive blow as I thought he was playing well."
And that’s the thing isn't it - you could feel a goal coming all half, but thought it would be Chesterfield's and that you'd keep a clean sheet?
"Exactly! Another late goal which is a bit of a blow for us as it's getting to be a bit of a habit - and that is a concern. We've spoken to the players about that, not just after Saturday's game, it's a bit of a problem.
"The second half it looked like we'd be the team to score the goal, we looked lively on the break, but we never scored that goal and we conceded a poor goal at the other end. We're disappointed with that given the situation we're in, but it's gone now, we can't affect the Notts County game now, we've got the league leaders coming tomorrow and I think it's a great game for us. We'll have a good crowd here, I think we'll get great support from our fans here and it's a game I think we can win."
And, following so quickly after that defeat is a good thing isn’t it?
"Exactly, when you're in a football environment and you lose one, you want the next game to come quickly and Charlton, top of the league, you can't get any better coming here!"
It must be frustrating when you look at the form table, something like 7th in the table, but at the bottom of the league?
"Well, that's down to the start. I mean we have improved, there's no doubt about that, and if we hadn't conceded late goals in the last 6 weeks, we probably would be out of the relegation zone, in fact we'd definitely be out. But, that's a problem we've got, it's one of the factors that we have to deal with and have to improve. But, as you say, on current form, we're doing well and we just have to bounce back."
Three points are vital in the next couple of games?
"Yes, they are, all the teams down at the bottom are picking points up - you look at Rochdale since John Coleman went in there, they've had a bit of a revival and started keeping clean sheets so it's vital. I still think it'll go to the wire, and tomorrow won't send us to relegation and it won't keep us up, but it would be a real plus if we could get the 3 points."
But you do have a habit of performing against the big teams?
"Well I hope you're right there! I just hope we get the habit of performing against everybody because that's what we need. We need consistency, we've been OK over the last six weeks, a lot better and it's important that we don't lose too many on the bounce at this stage, important that you bounce back. You will lose games, even the top teams lose games, but the good teams bounce back and that's what we're aiming to do."
We've talked about Jimmy - how is he?
"It was really swollen as soon as he came off and we were really worried, but it's improved. Obviously he's going to take a bit of time, but it looks a lot better than it did on Saturday afternoon. Jamie (Hewitt)'s looking after him and we've got to get it scanned and then we'll know more. It's a blow for the lad as every game he's played, he's done really well and he's been injured, so I feel for the lad. It's difficult, he's in a foreign country, he wants to play but he's had no luck at all really."
And is there a problem with Drew (Talbot) as he wasn't playing on Saturday?
"Yes, Drew's got a slight abductor strain, it's not bad but it'll be touch and go whether he'll be involved tomorrow but, we'll give him as long as possible. Mark Allott is similar - a slight hamstring and we'll do the same with Mark and give him as long as possible to recover from the game."
Any more injuries?
"The Simon Ford thing, he obviously struggles to play two games a week but he obviously wasn't injured, we were just looking ahead to Tuesday, so he'll be in contention for the game - apart from that, everyone's OK."
Charlton, obviously rearranged, what are you expecting from them?
"They're deservedly top of the league, they have the most points, and they've scored goals. I think Chris changed the squad dramatically in the summer, I think 16 in 16 out and that's bravery, but it's paid off for him.
"They're a big, big club, we all know that, and he's got good players there, but Sheffield Wednesday had good players too and we beat them!
"We've just got to take it one game at a time - the pressure's on Charlton too, they're a big club and they need to get promoted. The pressures on us, we're bottom of the league and we need to get out, so the same scenario for both teams, different ends of the league, but it will be a good game."
And talking of 'ins' a certain Mr Clarke was one of those 'ins'?
"Yes, Leon went there, he did very well here, scored a few goals for us and we appreciated that. I hope he has a good time there, but not tomorrow!"
For more information and other CFC news, go to www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk
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