Tooley’s Take

Phil Tooley takes a look at the game and its context

Chesterfield 1 Colchester United 1

League Two Game #13

Colchester, as a city, is famous for several things. Colchester Castle, the largest surviving Norman Keep in Europe. Impregnable. Colchester Native Oysters, world renowned by shellfish lovers. You need to be an expert shucker to prise them open to get the prize.

Colchester is the only British place to be specifically named in the dystopian novel 1984, by George Orwell, the book that introduced readers to Room 101, the basement torture chamber in which the powers that be attempt to subject captives to their own worst nightmare, fear or phobia. The objective is to break down their final resistance. Our worst fear of yet another home draw materialised due to being unable to break down the U’s’ final resistance. Twenty-four shots to four, 17 corners to nil, 76% possession. Nightmare. But it really shouldn’t have been.

Performance-wise, total domination, more chances than a game of Monopoly, and Danny Cowley’s side, on his birthday, bought him the only card he wanted, the Get Out of Jail one.

Poor goal to concede, but early enough to do something about it. An inspired James Berry thumped a free-kick onto the bar, how didn’t it go in after clipping the keeper on the way down? Dilan Markandy, inches away. Some thought the rippling of the net was from the inside, sadly it wasn’t.

More corners than the road between Baslow and Bakewell; Colchester was the first major Roman settlement in this country, known as Camulodunum, so straight roads for them, not one corner at all. Max was set to minimum, goal apart, no saves required.

Surely when DJ volleyed ferociously and Will Grigg flicked his leg out to subtly redirect the ball beyond the keeper, there was time enough to win it. There was, but chance after chance was spurned. Like the famed Castle and Oysters, eyeing the prize was one thing, prising their defence open was another.

On the occasions when the prising looked all but done and victory seemed assured, some Big Brother style imaginary being put the mockers on those who seemed set to end the deadlock, ensuring they didn’t pass ‘Go’ (or should that be Goal?), ensuring they did not collect three points.

Normally we’d all go home relatively happy, enjoying the fact that Town had bossed it, and think that if we do that again next week, we’ll muller the opposition. But the bigger picture is 1-6-0, a very frustrating SMH stat. Our fortress is a bit too accommodating, the door is always a bit ajar, too many chances for a visitor to sneak in and nick a souvenir to take home. No clean sheets, so it’s always going to be tough to put things to bed.

Possession may be nine tenths of the law, but Chesterfield have had two thirds of possession at home to date this season, and taken less than 43% of the points fought for on Whittington Moor. Unbeaten at home in seven doesn’t feel like being unbeaten at home in seven.

That said, with just a four-point gap between Town and third place, an automatic promotion spot, it’s not all Room 101, and PC & Co signing extended deals is a real early Christmas present. I’m still confident.

Being confident at Morecambe is not like being confident anywhere else! October 2013, half-time, Morecambe 0 Chesterfield 3. Game over. But no-one told Kevin Ellison, Barry Roche and co. Four second-half concessions, devastating defeat (though let’s not forget our last match at The Globe Arena saw us 2-0 down but end up with a point).

Cookie was gaffer for the 4-3 loss. I’m sure he’ll think of that horrendous half in the next few days as we prepare to visit a ground on which the Shrimps haven’t bagged maximum points since April Fools’ Day. Three draws and six defeats since then for the team that’s bottom of the table. Spireites should be confident, expecting a win. Only Walsall have scored more, only five teams have conceded fewer, only leaders Port Vale can claim an unbeaten run longer than Chesterfield’s. It really is far from a disaster!

Well done DJ Oldaker on his performance, he was terrific, and his work earned him the Galaxy Travel 1866 Sport Man of the Match award, the 12th different winner in 15 matches in League and Cup, a remarkable run that confirms the depth of the squad, and whoever plays on Saturday lunchtime, we can all be sure they’ll really be up for it.

Phil’s Positive: Loads of shots, loads of corners, dominated possession. Only neg is the final scoreline!

Next Match: Morecambe (A), Saturday, October 26, EFL2, KO 12.30pm. Full commentary for subscribers on the new commentary platform (find details on Chesterfield FC website). Build-up from noon, half-time and post-match remains on the 1866 Sport App. The game will be shown on Sky Sports.

Chesterfield (4-2-3-1 to start): Thompson; Daley-Campbell (Mandeville 65), Naylor, Araujo, Gordon; Oldaker, Metcalfe (Dobra 65); Markanday(Jacobs 88), Banks, Berry (Colclough 65); Grigg (Madden 80). Subs (not used): Rinaldo, Grimes.