Manager Paul Cook sat down with the media on Friday morning to preview the fixture against Tranmere Rovers at the SMH Group Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Cook began by reflecting on gaining maximum points over the Easter weekend with two 1-0 wins over Cheltenham Town and Barrow. He said: “Every game’s really difficult in the division, there’s no getting away from that.
“For whatever reason, there aren’t many teams with nothing to play for, which is really good, because it’s that competitive. So, you’re walking into every team, and we’re carrying an edge. Barrow away, tough, Cheltenham at home, tough, they’re all tough.
“Six points, it goes towards the points tally. Like I say all the time, it’s the end of the season when the accolades are given out, for some clubs maybe a little touch before, for us it’s just on to the next game and keep going.”
Looking ahead to the challenges that Tranmere will bring, Cook explained: “Really, really tough game against a club that’s close to my heart, and obviously we know the difficulties that that’s going to bring.
“Like every team fighting for their lives, that’s what they’re doing. Unfortunately for Pete (Wild) and his lads, they’ll have been in their meetings where they’re all trying to come together.
“The first thing is how you come together; you’re bang at it. You’re organised, you’re structured, and you’re at it. They’re the first three things any club in those situations will be doing.
“We’re going to walk into a great atmosphere tomorrow. Tranmere will bring great travelling support. They really get behind the team, they really do. I think at the moment, the team needs the supporters at Tranmere without a shadow of a doubt.”
“For us, it’s just on to the next game. It’s for us trying to get a win that can see us getting a bit closer to making sure we get in the play-offs.”
Reflecting on Wednesday’s Fans Forum, where aspirations of taking the club forward were discussed, Cook added: “When I made the decision to come back to Chesterfield, a lot of the decision was based on how football is today for coaches and managers.
“More importantly, I knew what I was coming into. Mike Goodwin, John Croot, Andy Fantom. I knew who I was coming into work for. Over a short period of time, the Kirk family got involved, and my relationship with Phil and Ash was quickly cemented.
“To watch our club grow off the pitch, to see the training facilities how they are, to see the fan base grow, how the Kirk family, now Sharon has taken the reins, run the actual club. That’s why we are a special club and a club to be proud of.”
Tickets for the fixture remain available here.
