Tooley’s Take

Phil Tooley takes a look at the game and its context

Chesterfield 1 Fleetwood Town 1

League Two Game #13

I asked* two of Fleetwood’s most well known residents what they thought Chesterfield fans would be thinking after the game. Comedian Syd Little said, ‘Supersonic,’ which was possibly a tad over the top, whilst one of Sylvia’s favourites, singer Alfie Boe, simply responded asking, ‘Was Les miserable?’ I’m not sure any Spireite would be miserable, but plenty will be underwhelmed with some, at best, merely being whelmed.

(* This may be artistic licence and not a true representation of real conversations.)

Lots to admire; McFadzean and Dunkley solid again, point winning save by Zach, a first assist for Stirk, Donacien impressive, lots of positivity from the attacking midfielders with Dilan back to being Dilan and Dylan back in the squad.

Lots to be frustrated about; not enough service for Bonis, plenty of attacking play but a lack of a killer instinct, susceptible to quick breaks by pacy players, another early concession.

But on a day that saw leaders Walsall lose at home, Swindon thrashed at a relegation threatened side and early pace setters Gillingham beaten in Cleethorpes, Paul Cook’s side made up a bit of ground on the top sides, and they remain unbeaten at home in the league.

The run of three home games, this one, the Salford win and the victory over Burton in the Vertu Trophy have helped to exorcise the demons witnessed at Colchester, and they’ve also seen some players return to fitness and others return to form, and with Will Grigg not too far away from being available again, the squad is beginning to look healthy.

Let’s not forget that both Tom Naylor and Vontae Daley-Campbell were unavailable for the Cod contest and they’d been two star performers in recent times. With John Fleck ruled-out with a tight calf, Liam Mandeville had to switch to the centre, where he likes playing. It took him a while to get into the swing of it, whilst Devan Tanton picked up an early yellow and was really up against it marking the very quick Ethan Ennis, borrowed from Manchester United. It made sense to bring on Janoi at the break, and he played a faultless second half.

A disappointing concession, a scruffy header from a drilled in right wing corner, not long after the visitors had seen an earlier similar effort chalked off for what Gary Roberts called a ‘marginal’ offside. The gaffer will know that the team needs to start better; this season, score first means win, opposition scores first means points dropped. Every time to date.

Pete Wild’s wing-backs were their dangermen, moving forwards quickly, getting crosses in, winning corners, and after the goal, Chesterfield did pretty well to curtail these threats, particularly in the second half, although Hemming’s save at the feet of scorer Will Davies from a breakaway was arguably his best in his Town career.

As for the Spireites’ goal, what a beauty. Dobra surrounded but Stirk supports, quick passing, fine cross, excellent finish from Markanday. A perfect #Cookball goal. Having seen the footage from behind the goal, I just know I’ll watch it scores of times.

Plenty of opportunities to turn the game around in the subsequent 65+ minutes, but none taken to ensure a degree of frustration with the result, but some optimism with the overall performance.

What on earth were Tranmere up to? LLDLDDL and then a 4-1 win at Bristol Rovers. Evergreen striker Connor Jennings (33), one goal in his previous 35 appearances, bagged a brace for Andy Crosby’s side and keeper Joe Murphy, a one game Spireite (PNE play-off second leg), now 44-years-old, kept out the Pirates until they plundered a late consolation.

Last season, Town’s nadir moment came at Prenton Park when Rovers banged in four in the second half after Chesterfield had been unbeaten in six, five of them wins, Tranmere’s first coming in the first minute of the second half. No repeat of that please guys!

Swindon host Notts on Tuesday in that pair’s game in hand, which could see the Robins go top or the Magpies hop over Chesterfield, whilst the two sides immediately above and below the Spireites, Gillingham and Salford, play each other on Saturday, so changes in the table this week are inevitable.

Just to cheer you up, Chesterfield’s last six trips to Tranmere have ended LLLLLL, so let’s hope it doesn’t become a Magnificent Seven for the Birkenhead Boys.

Phil’s Positive: Play like that every week and there’ll be plenty of wins.

Next Match: It’s a trip to Merseyside and Tranmere Rovers on Saturday, October 25, 3pm kick-off. Build up on 1866 Sport from 2pm ahead of switching to the commentary platform. Back on the app, online and smart speaker for After the Whistle; for the Fleetwood version, a link which can be found on the Chesterfield FC website as well as being on podcast platforms. You can hear reaction from Gary Roberts, Armando Dobra, Dilan Markanday and Dylan Duffy.

Chesterfield (4-2-3-1 to start): Hemming; Tanton (Donacien 46), Dunkley, McFadzean, Gordon; Stirk, Mandeville; Markanday, Dobra(Duffy 83), Berry (Darcy 62); Bonis (Dickson 83). Subs (not used); Boot, Lewis, Grimes.