Friday 2nd March 2012

Tomorrow, it's the turn of the Rovers to travel to the b2 net to take on the Spireties. Tranmere, stalwarts of League One began the season well, but have seen a dip in form and are yet to win a league game in 2012.

They sit in 17th and are hoping not to get sucked in to the relegation battle which will inevitably take place and are no doubt hoping to kick start the fightback tomorrow.

After a disappointing home defeat against table toppers Charlton on Tuesday night though, the Spireites are up for a fight, desperate for 3 points which will begin their ascent from the bottom of the table and safety in league One - currently 5 points away.

Injuries continue to plague Chesterfield though – with what are seen to be key players returning slowly to the side. With just 13 league games left , every game is now vital and the fixture list is now heavily packed.

Manager John Sheridan (left) spoke to us ahead of training today and told us how the season has been affected by injuries and that he feels more new blood may be necessary to boost the squad.

I guess the scoreline on Tuesday didn't reflect the effort that went into it?
"No I don't think it did and it's very hard to take as we lost the game 4-0 and it's hard on the players as I thought that, especially in the first half, they started strongly - they're a good team and I expected that.

"But I thought we really got in to the game and we matched them for the first 45. I think the killer was the goal, straight on half time and it was a horrible goal to concede, a cross from a deflection and it ends up in the back of the net and it really gave us a kick in the teeth.

"Then I thought we came out and started quite well but for the second goal. We should have kept the ball on the half way line, but we gave it away cheaply and we end up conceding a poor goal. Everyone keeps telling me it was off side but from where I was, I couldn't say."

I was going to ask that - have you watched the DVD? Did that shed any light on it?
"Yes, but you can't tell - it doesn't show the whole picture on the DVD, so you can't really see. The third goal went in and it was game over then as they're a good team, they know how to keep the ball and they made it really difficult. But, I can't fault the players efforts, I thought we kept going throughout, but to lose 4-0 was very hard to take."

It was a good test for the young players in the squad to be up against a team like that?
"Yes, they're the best team and that's why they're at the top. They do the simple things well and I keep saying this to players - good teams do the easy things well and sometimes we make them very difficult and it does cost us in-game sometimes. Hopefully we'll learn from it - young players are always going to make mistakes and hopefully, that makes you a better player - you make mistakes and hopefully you learn from them - hopefully one or two of ours will."

Four changes again - one of the problems this season has been injuries and getting a consistent squad together...
"Yes - and only two or three weeks ago I was just getting my team sorted, knowing what team I was going to pick, then unfortunately, Robertson got injured, then Hurst and Talbot - and then you're looking at different positions and who's going to play where.

"We've picked one or two results up, but there's one thing I don't want to be doing and that's changing my team, I've done that too much this year. Sometimes it does unsettle your side, you just think you have a settled side and are going to keep clean sheets and unfortunately, you get one or two injuries and it backfires on you."

And talking of injuries, how are you standing with those? Mark Allott was injured wasn't he but played Tuesday - did he come through it OK?
"Mark's been on and off for 10 days or so with his hamstring, but everything's OK with him. There's only Jimmy (Juan) and James Hurst who'll be back next week. Jimmy's a lot better than we thought he'd be, but there's still a little bit of bruising so hopefully, he'll be back with us soon and James will back next week."

Craig Clay - it's his last game for Alfreton tomorrow isn't it? What's likely to happen with him?
"We'll talk with him, he's enjoying it - it won't do him any harm at all. He's been playing on and off. As long as he's getting regular football, which is better for him and his career. We'll have chat and as long as he's been treated properly and by all accounts he has, we've had him watched and he's done well, so I'll speak to the Manager and if everyone's comfortable with it, I won't stand in his way."

And is there any news of ins and outs? Any chance of any movement?
"Not at this moment. I'll look at one or two positions and see how they fit. I would have brought someone in if I'd have known how long James (Hurst) was going to be out - he was supposed to be out for 10 days - so he's been on and off. But I'll be looking at one or two positions, as I think there might be one or two I need to bring in."

Tranmere - they've dropped like a stone haven't they lately?
"They're getting slowly dragged into it but I think they're a good team. They don't let much in, they have one of the best records for not conceding goals in the league so they'll be very tough to break down. They'll come here, we're bottom of the league, so they'll believe they can get a positive result and get away from the teams near the bottom. At the same time, we're at home and we have to try and win the game - simple as! That's all I need to say to the players - go and win the game!"

It's still very tight down there isn't it - it can change very quickly though...
"If we can get a good result tomorrow, I feel as though we could gain a bit on one or two. The fixtures I'm looking at - but all the teams at the bottom are picking results up and are working very hard, so it's going to be very tight and will go right to the wire I think."

For more information and other CFC news, go to www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk

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