The Spireites are deep into preparations for the season opener at home to Barrow on Saturday afternoon, and experienced defender Chey Dunkley spoke to 1866+ about pre-season and the fixture ahead.
He began by saying: “Pre-season has been very good in the sense that we’ve had new players in the building who have settled quite quickly and all come in and done well.
“We’ve just learnt from each game, starting from Matlock all the way through to Sheffield United. I know people always talk about results, but it’s not about results, it’s about getting minutes under your belt.
“We’ve been quite lucky in terms of not having many real knocks so that’s been a positive. We’re now raring to get into the first game of the season, which will be a tough one by the way.”
After signing for the club last summer, Dunkley featured 11 times in all competitions before being ruled out with a neck injury.
Discussing the recovery process, he added: “My injury was very unusual in the sense that it wasn’t your everyday injury, being a slipped disc in the neck. It was really hard watching from the sidelines because I wanted to be out there and helping the lads.
“I had to remember that injuries are a part of the game, even though we don’t want any injuries and you try and do everything to prevent injuries, it is a part of the game, but it was very frustrating because of the want to be on the field.
“Having said that, it allowed me to focus a little bit on watching the team, learning more about my teammates and then enhancing my knowledge in football in terms of doing my coaching badges.
“Now I’m fit, The aim for me is to play as many games as possible. First and foremost, I’ve got to enjoy it, because it’s like a second chance of a dream. I’ve got to enjoy the season and take it game by game.”
Previewing the Barrow fixture, he said: “We know a little bit about their threats. We know a little bit how we can hurt them as well. We’ve done a bit of analysis. The staff will be studying them from games and throughout pre-season and what they were like at the back end of last season.
“What I know is that they’ve added a few good players that I’ve played with. Kane Hemmings will want to impose himself. Tom Barkhuizen has just signed from Derby.
“They’ve got other players like Charlie Raglan who used to be at Chesterfield as a centre half under the gaffer. They’ve got a few seniors in there. So it won’t be a game where you think we should be rolling them over.
“The first game of the season is always a bit nervy because everyone’s trying to work each other out. A performance is not going to guarantee you a result, but it gives you a better chance to get the result and that’s what we’re trying to do.
“If we can give our best and show our best traits on Saturday, then I’m sure everything will fall into place and we will hopefully get the three points.”
Listen to the full in-depth interview on Saturday afternoon in the pre-match build-up live on 1866 Sport.
