The Spireites host Mat Sadler’s Walsall at the SMH Group Stadium this afternoon in Sky Bet League Two.
Chesterfield go into the game following a last-gasp winner at high-flying Salford City on Tuesday night, after Sam Curtis’ effort was deflected into the net.
Walsall have recently had a slight drop in form, having won once in their last seven games, after previously occupying one of the automatic promotion spots.
In the Spotlight
Daniel Kanu signed for the Saddlers on loan from Charlton Athletic this summer and has scored 14 goals in all competitions.
The striker scored in five consecutive games across November and December, including in a 3-1 win over league leaders Bromley.
In the reverse fixture at the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium, Kanu scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 defeat for Chesterfield.
The gaffer’s record
Paul Cook has faced Walsall on nine occasions as a manager, winning three, drawing one and losing five.
Since returning to the EFL, Chesterfield have not yet beaten Walsall in five attempts, with the best result being a 2-2 draw at the SMH Group Stadium back in October 2024.
The two sides also met in the League Two play-off semi-finals last season, which saw the Saddlers prevail 4-1 on aggregate.
Man in the middle
Charles Breakspear will take charge of this fixture, assisted by Aaron Hallam, Samuel Clayton and the fourth official, Marvyn Amphlett.
It will be Breakspear’s first time officiating either side this season. He took charge of two Spireites games last campaign, away at both Swindon and Gillingham.
The experienced referee has 159 career League Two games under his belt, giving out 624 yellow cards and 25 red cards across those games.
Paul Cook’s thoughts
“We have the opportunity to finish a week which started horrendously with six points, and it would turn into such a positive week for our fans and for our players, so we’ve got to come together and do everything possible to beat Walsall.
“I think Mat [Sadler] does an outstanding job at Walsall. We find it a difficult game in general; we don’t really beat them, but we’ve got to do our best to find a way.”
