Phil Tooley takes a look at the game and its context
Chesterfield 1 Crewe Alexandra 3
League Two Game #32
Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes isn’t in my Top Ten Bowie tunes, but it’s been an ear worm far too often this season following Town. Consistency of selection hasn’t been a strength, dictated to by injury far too often, whilst you can’t deny some of last season’s superstars haven’t matched the incredible reliability shown in that memorable campaign.
I’ve spent a lifetime, well, about three minutes, thinking about that song off the flawless Hunky Dory album (an irony in itself, because things are far from Hunky Dory at the moment). The first ‘ch’ in the ear worm represents ch-inchilla, the animal deemed to have the softest underbelly in the world of fauna. As for ‘ch’ #2, ch-aritable, the assistance of those in need, clearly aimed at opposition forwards. The third ‘ch’ is obviously about ch-eese, be it crumbly or full of holes, sadly in this game, it was clearly Che-shire as the team from that county played in a more mature manner than their hosts.
As for the word as a whole, changes, with the more than welcome return of Ash Palmer after a long injury, that represented the tenth different starting pair in the centre of the Spireites defence. Hardly a recipe for success. Palmer was the sixth different centre back to line up with Jamie Grimes this season after Dunkley, Naylor, Williams, Araujo and McFadzean, four of those previous five now on the treatment table.
No wonder the Gaffer isn’t a social media fan. Some of the comments I’ve seen, and I didn’t really dig too deep, are astonishing. Whatever happens, the position Chesterfield finish in this season will be the highest since 2017, eight years ago.
The last five seasons starting with 2019/20; National League finished in position #19, National League play-off qualifiers, National League play-off semi-final, National League play-off final, National League champions. Annual progress, slow but solid. Get real.
Yes, we’re all exasperated, we all know that the current fit and available squad is better than has been witnessed in the last few weeks. But when you consider that the defensive side of the team, in addition to those noted earlier in the centre back position, has also lost Tanton, Gordon, Donacien and Daley-Campbell at various times.
In arguably the best showing of the season, the 3-0 win at Doncaster, the back line was Tanton, Dunkley, Araujo and Gordon, none of whom are currently available, so surely anyone can see that things this season have been far from ideal.
Onto the match, chinchilla, charitable, cheese is all I can say! The corner for the first, won by an unchallenged runner through the middle, then the defence doesn’t clear, chinchilla. The second, that previous run unheeded, lose out in a challenge, no more challenges after that and a bloke called Conway scores on St David’s Day. Inevitable.
Hope when Dylan Duffy whacks in one of what PC said was 33 crosses from his team, and when the big #9 came up on the fourth official’s board, a point was on. Or was it off? Big hint of offside, lots of blue shirts appeal, no whistle, not enough defending, all over at 3-1, a rare mass exodus from the SMH.
Plenty of possession, lots of shots (18) but only three on target, the stats show 139 successful final third passes from Chesterfield (whatever that means), compared to 36 from Crewe, an incredible difference, but The Railwaymen bought tickets that offered complimentary gifts rather than hang around waiting for HS2 to become operational.
The play-offs look miles away now after a hat-trick of losses, so it’s just a case of hoping that hard work and a bit more considered application on the park will start to pick up a few points that at least means the team gets back on an upward trajectory, just like Tuesday’s hosts Colchester United have gone on. Nine unbeaten, five of them won, a run that’s taken them up six places to the top half of the table.
Another grim day with the only truly bright moment being the message from Tyrone after the game. I apologise for not compiling a Tooley’s Take following the Swindon Town defeat, but I was unable to. At that time, the game felt irrelevant in comparison to the injury to one of our number, and a proper good guy too. Best wishes, Ty.
Phil’s Positive: The post-match message from Tyrone Williams was the best thing about the day as a whole. Ash Palmer returning to play was the best thing about the match.
Next Match: Tuesday, March 4 at Colchester United, the match kicks-off at 7.45pm. Full commentary with me and ex-Spireite Lee Francis on the commentary platform (find details on Chesterfield FC website). Build-up on 1866 Sport from 7pm, half-time and After the Whistle remains on the 1866 Sport App, online and on smart speaker. Don’t forget, you can watch the game on the big screen in the SBK Spires Restaurant at the SMH Group Stadium for free, bar opens at 5pm.
Chesterfield (4-2-3-1 to start): Boot; Donacien (Mandeville 62), Palmer, Grimes, Sparkes; Oldaker (Jacobs 71), Metcalfe (Fleck 69); Olakigbe (Duffy 69), Madden (Banks 69), Dobra; Pepple. Unused Subs: Thompson, Naylor.
Goals: Duffy 87 (Chesterfield), Tracey 10, Conway 22, Lowery 90+3 (Crewe)
Referee: Scott Tallis
Bookings: Madden, Sparkes, Dobra (Chesterfield), Holicek (Crewe)
Chesterfield manager Paul Cook was also shown a yellow card
Attendance: 8,919 (979 from Crewe)
Galaxy Travel 1866 Sport Man of the Match: Jack Sparkes (chosen by Jamie Hewitt)
