After the midweek shoot-out success in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy, the Spireites return to league action against Salford City.
Karl Robinson’s side travel to the SMH Group Stadium hoping to kick-start their season, having avoided defeat just once in all competitions with a goal-less away draw against Bradford City last weekend.
Meanwhile, Paul Cook’s men will be hoping they can notch another victory against the visitors after their 2-0 FA Cup win at the Peninsula Stadium in 2021.
The Opposition
The Ammies have seen a meteoric rise through the divisions over the last decade after the involvement of the ‘Class of 92’.
After the takeover in 2014, they climbed from the eighth to the fourth tier in the space of five seasons before progress plateaued as they adapted to life in League Two, where their most successful season saw them clinch the final play-off position in the 2022/23 campaign.
Now in their sixth season at this level, they will be hoping to take one step further and earn promotion to League One for the first time in their history.
Manager head-to-head
With two very experienced heads in the dugout in Cook and Robinson, it’s no surprise they have faced each other eight times throughout their managerial careers.
Historically, Cook has the edge over his opposite number, winning five out of the eight fixtures and averaging over two points per game.
Their first clash, and Robinson’s only victory over Cook, came in 2014 at the then Proact Stadium. An MK Dons squad featuring a young Dele Alli and a late substitute appearance from Will Grigg earned a 1-0 win thanks to a 49th-minute goal from Benik Afobe.
Their most recent encounter came in late 2021 when Cook’s Ipswich Town side were held to a 0-0 draw by visiting Oxford.
Karl Robinson
Despite his poor head-to-head record with Cook, Robinson should not be underestimated.
With over 700 games as a manager, the 43-year-old has vast experience in the lower divisions and has a knack for long-term stays at clubs, something that is increasingly hard to find in the modern age.
Beginning life as a manager at just 29-years-old, Robinson guided MK Dons to a one-season stay in the Championship during his six-year reign in Buckinghamshire, a level the League Two outfit haven’t reached since.
After 18 months at Charlton Athletic, Robinson had a five-year spell at Oxford United where his team reached the play-offs in consecutive seasons but failed to achieve promotion.
Player in focus
Salford summer signing Cole Stockton has proven himself as a goalscorer in Leagues One and Two over the last few years.
The 30-year-old’s most successful season came in 2021/22, where he netted 23 times in 44 games for Morecambe.
With Salford yet to get off the mark this season, Stockton will be eager to bag his first goal and push his side to their first win of the season.
