Phil Tooley takes a look at the game and its context
Walsall 3 Chesterfield 1
League Two Game #30
Three years back at the helm, plus over two and a half years last time, Paul Cook’s managed Town in over 300 games (48% win rate). In that time, I suspect I’ve been lucky enough to interview the gaffer more times than anyone else, so I’m in a reasonably good position to be able to read him, read between the lines.
I’ve seen PC ‘frustrated-angry,’ ‘disappointed-angry,’ ‘let down-angry,’ ‘bemused-angry,’ ‘confused-angry,’ but after the capitulation at the Poundland Bescot Stadium, where his team put in a second-half performance that was as far from the million-dollar Donny second half as possible, not even close to matching the money of the ground sponsors, I saw him ‘angry-angry’. It was paradoxically reassuring, because most, if not all, of the vast travelling army would have felt some degree of anger.
An almost perfect first-half away performance at the home of the leaders, cagey, tight, take your chance, give them nothing, a referee that let the game flow on a pudding of a pitch. A well-worked corner routine for the skipper to score, just a real pity that neither of the other good chances created were taken, but a bit of smug satisfaction as we relaxed and warmed up with a Bovril.
Sadly, the free-flowing whistler pulled up lame just before half-time and had to be replaced by the fourth official who, according to my research, hasn’t refereed at a level higher than the Under 18 Premier League, though he has been on the line in League One. His style differed as did the second half style of the team in blue. Chalk and cheese all over the park, it’s a pity Spireites chose to mimic a crumbly cheese.
After 28 games of keeping out opposition corners, Doncaster break the seal and, like when you’ve had a few pints, we all know what occurs then, regular leakage and you just can’t stop. Walsall capitalised and took the proverbial. Was the second a foul on Jack Sparkes in conceding the corner and a pull on Max Thompson in the delivery? The sub ref clearly wasn’t the Man from Del Monte, he said ‘no’.
Response needed. Sadly, we’re all still waiting for it. Nothing of substance, hugely disappointing, bad enough in any game, but when the opening 45 was so positive, it hurts even more.
The third goal, with the stadium clock on 101 minutes, summed up our feelings. Given away, too little chasing to try and rectify the error, on a plate for a super lad, Levi Amantchi, who started at Chesterfield as a teenager under Martin Allen, appearing in 14 games, no goals.
A nice bit of statto stuff on the goal, his first ever in the EFL. His last goal was in the FA Cup (for Bromley), the one before that in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy, preceded by a Carabao Cup goal, so four this season. Last season, his final goals for Maidstone United were in the National League South (two against Havant & Waterlooville) and before that, he scored in the FA Trophy, so the last six games he’s scored in have all been in different competitions. Impressive statistic.
You need to listen to the manager’s post-match interview rather than just read the words, because the manner Cookie delivered the words is the main story. ‘We flattered to deceive,’ he said, ‘the game was there to be won, clearly in front of us to be won’ and he added, ‘giving away soft goals is our Achilles heel’. Words of frustration when read on a screen or on paper, words delivered in angry-mode that you can only detect with your ears. We thought it, he said it, short and to the point, but bang on.
There were many things that didn’t go our way at Walsall, but the pitch, the ref change, any other factor you can think of didn’t lose Chesterfield that game, and it was lost by the Spireites rather than won by the Saddlers (three shots on target, three goals), it was sadly the boys in blue that somehow contrived to lose a game that was all but won at half-time. That’s now 16 points lost from winning positions, with five gained from losing positions. Net that off, 11 points ‘lost’, add them on, level fourth with Notts County, two points off second spot.
Next week, we’re at Swindon Town, two points lost after leading at home in the season’s opener. Four straight wins from the start of 2025 has lifted them away from the relegation trapdoor, but just one point from the last two games for Ian Holloway’s team shows the inconsistency throughout League Two.
With step-up hopes fading somewhat as we reflect on Walsall, it’s certainly a must-win trip, but for now, I’m hoping my brain shuts-out football thoughts for at least a couple of days, because at the moment, in true Monty Python Gumby style, MY BRAIN HURTS!
Phil’s Positive: It’s a lot better to have a bad day at the League Two leaders than at down town York Road, Maidenhead. Plus, not that we didn’t already know, Paul Cook cares and hurts just as much as any True Blue!
Next Match: Saturday, February 22 at Swindon Town, the match kicks-off at 3pm. Full commentary on the commentary platform (find details on Chesterfield FC website). Build-up on 1866 Sport from 2pm, half-time and After the Whistle remains on the 1866 Sport App, online and on smart speaker.
Chesterfield (4-2-3-1 to start): Thompson; Sheckleford, Williams, Grimes, Sparkes; Oldaker (Banks 84), Naylor (Metcalfe 84); Olakigbe (Mandeville 89), Dobra, Duffy (Colclough 76); Pepple (Madden 76). Unused Subs: Boot, Donacien
Goals: Grimes 8 (Chesterfield), Matt 52, Harrison 55, Amantchi 90+11 (Walsall)
Referee: Sunny Singh Gill (Karl Buckley 44)
Bookings: Thompson, Dobra (Chesterfield), Williams, Jellis (Walsall)
Attendance: 6,830 (1,648 from Chesterfield)
Galaxy Travel 1866 Sport Man of the Match: Armando Dobra (chosen by Josh Marsh)
