Chesterfield - Scouting Report

Meadow Lane hosts Chesterfield on Saturday 7th of February, as Notts County prepare to take on the Spireites in a local derby. Chesterfield currently sit 5th after winning three of their last six games, drawing two and only losing one against Swindon Town. They have scored 12 goals, having conceded 7 times.

Chesterfield will be hoping the visit is just another formal encounter of their quest to remain within the play-offs, however Notts will be hoping to strike back at home with a good result.

Run down of their last six games.

Saturday 10^th January – Chesterfield 3 Port Vale 0

Tuesday 13^th January – Chesterfield 2 Scunthorpe United 0 (F.A Cup)

Saturday 17^th January – Swindon Town 3 Chesterfield 0

Saturday 24^th January – Derby County 2 Chesterfield 0 (F.A Cup)

Tuesday 27^th January – Chesterfield 3 Crawley Town 2

Saturday 31^st January – Chesterfield 2 Doncaster Rovers 2

The Players – Fact Sheet

Highest Goal Scorers; Samuel Clucas 8, Gary Roberts 5, Jay O'Shea 3 and Jimmy Ryan 3.

Persistent Foulers; Ian Evatt 1 Red Card and 8 Yellow Cards, Sam Morsy 1 Red Card and 6 Yellow Cards, Daniel Jones 1 Red Card and 4 Yellow Cards and Tommy Lee 1 Red Card and 1 Yellow Card.

The Key Players.

Armand Gnanduillet, Oliver Banks, Samuel Clucas, Jimmy Ryan and Daniel Jones.

Thankfully the Spireites will be without Eoin Doyle, however Samuel Clucas is a consistent and dominant threat to opposition teams. The tricky winger and attacking midfielder is a live wire for Chesterfield.

Armand Gnanduillet will be keen to etch his name in their starting 11, he is a versatile striker who will more likely find regular game time. He is pacey, strong and tall – However his eye for goal can be questionable, he is and will remain a threat if selected.

Oliver Banks and Jimmy Ryan are the inspiration within the Spireites midfield, they are both creative and clever with the type of play they both express.

Whilst Daniel Jones is also a versatile player who can play within defence and midfield, he also has a habit of scoring from set pieces and can release quite a powerful shot from distance.

Style of Play, Strengths, and Weaknesses.

Chesterfield are very attacking minded, they play quite high up the field which leaves space within their defence but are quite well structured. They play strategic passes, cleverly moving the ball forward whist attempting to dictate the tempo of the game.

They're direct with their approach, with players getting behind the ball and running straight at their opposition. Runs aim to move outwards from the channels, as they tend to try to build through the centre of the park.

This allows them to create chances, whilst some players like having a go with long drives towards goal.

The Spireites don't give up, this is an element shown throughout their squad and each player gives 100% allowing them to easily find their way into games. Another strength is found within their direct approach, they can build play slowly or bombard their opposition.

Chesterfield are a well set-up side, very well structured. However, with them mainly focusing on being offensive, they do sit their defence at times quite high up the field and if their opposition can get the ball quickly into dangerous areas they do struggle. This is something better play can break down

Also, panic can set in from set pieces which often sees them scramble and pack players into their penalty box.

If they don't retain the ball well, it falls down to their hard work, concentration and better players to dig them out of the game. So, in principle if we hold the play and slowly build, making sure we get into good positions good chances will come.