The Spireites face a tough trip to Roots hall, having lost 3-1 at home to Southend in the FA Cup the last time the sides met. The Spireites will be full of confidence after producing one of their best displays of the season when beating 4-0 last Saturday. Since they last played the Spireites they have won 3, drawn 3 and lost one, including a 4-1 win at home to Championship side Millwall in the FA Cup.
Vital Quotes:
Phil Brown told the club website: ‘Chesterfield are one of the top sides in this division and the two games we”ve had against them so far have been very good footballing ones.
‘We both try to get the ball down and play good football and we”re getting the rewards.
‘But the home advantage can play a huge part in the game on Saturday.
Paul Cook told Spireite player: ‘In my opinion they’ll be one of the teams that will definitely be promoted, I think they’re that strong.
‘Southend came here in December and they beat us fair and square, they were better than us on the day. I always hold my hand up and be honest when that happens. They’re the only team this season that have done that to us.
We played really well last Saturday, we”ve had another week’s training under our belt and everyone at this football club is looking forward to getting on that bus to go down and bring three points back.’
Southend United Team News:
Right-back John White who has 6 assists so far this season is out injured, he was replaced by Ryan Leonard last weekend. But they missed the midfielders qualities in the centre of the park because he drives the team forward and they will need him against the Spireites. So they might replace him with Adam Thompson instead.
Player to watch: Kevan Hurst
The former Spireite signed for Southend in 2012, he got 19 assists giving him the highest total in the football league last season. This season he has also found his goalscoring touch having scored 9 goals making him the club’s top scorer, he also has 9.assists.
Chesterfield Team News:
The Spireites have Ian Evatt and Sam Hird available after serving their suspensions. Will Paul Cook bring back his experienced club captain Ian Evatt to replace Matty Brown who put in a wonderful display against Bury, I am just glad it’s his decision and not mine.
Player to watch: Jimmy Ryan
Jimmy Ryan has been in sensational form this season, pulling the strings in the centre of midfield, he often picks the ball up from the back and orchestrates the Spireites attacks.
Match Facts & Stats
On their last ten League visits to Roots Hall the Spireites have won 4, drawn 1 and lost 5. Scoring 11 goals and conceding 16 goals.
Ref Watch:
Robert Madley will be in charge of this game. The Spireites have lost their last 3 games with him in charge including their first league defeat of the season against Mansfield. He has refereed one league match involving Sothend which was a 1-1 draw at home to Bury in April 2011. So far this season he has given out 57 yellow cards and 5 reds from 15 games.
Match Prediction:
I am going for a 3-3 draw, with both teams playing good attacking free flowing football it could be an high scoring game.
Next Fixtures:
The Spireites face Rochdale at the Proact on Tuesday night.
