First-team coach Gary Roberts spoke exclusively to 1866+ ahead of the Spireites’ trip to MK Dons on Sunday, rounding off the tight run of fixtures over Christmas and New Year.
Beginning with a reflection on the 1-1 away draw against Oldham Athletic, he said: We knew going into the game it would be similar to the Cambridge game where Oldham are a tough nut to crack. I thought in the first half, we got our width into the game and that’s where our goal came from.
“We knew we could get on the outside of the game against a really narrow team who are tough to score goals against. It was a tough game but the plan was going as we’d hoped, and then we give one or two chances up (and) the goal is a little bit poor from our point of view.
“Then at the end of the game there was a bit of chaos and Zach Hemming has produced a great save for the penalty at the end, but I think overall probably a fair result.”
He then spoke about the MK Dons fixture.
“In my opinion, the toughest (fixture),” he said. “I think they have some of the better players in the league, a really experienced coach, so it probably is the toughest, but the best to go to as well.
“It’s going to be tough on the legs, but it’s going to be tough for everyone. They’ve lost one or two players, we’ve lost one or two players, and we’re neck and neck in the league.
“We’ve both got a similar target; to get out of this division. So it’s a good game, the energy will come. If you’re not up for an MK Dons game, there’s something wrong. The adrenaline will get going, the blood will be flowing. Looking forward to a really tough game, but it’ll be a good one.”
Finally, touching on the support the side have seen over the festive period, he added: “Amazing. Over the Christmas period our attendances at home have been first class.
“Even before the (Oldham) game in the warm-ups, you could hear them and it doesn’t go unnoticed, that’s for sure.
“We need them here for a good top-of-the-table clash where two teams are really going to go at it and try and get out of this division.”
A reminder that the MK Dons fixture kicks-off at the earlier time of 12pm.
