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Thursday 30 May 2013

Chesterfield’s unlikely rise poses new challenges for Glory Days

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The cries of the Spireite fans were heard when the final whistle blew in the Play Off Final finished and when the dust cleared Chesterfield earned their spot in Division 3 next season. The pure joy and adulation that was felt on the sidelines was undeniable and the unlikely result of gaining promotion capped off a remarkable turnaround for a side that finished 17th last season. The key to their success was a stout defence and finding a cutting edge to reverse the fortunes of the Spireites however going into the new season, manager Glory Days will be facing some pertinent questions.


Many are questioning the Spireites credentials of stay in Division 3 however as Chesterfield have proven numerous times last season, it will be the strength of the team rather than the individual which will determine their fate and Glory Days likes his chances. While the squad and first team remain essentially the same however the arrivals and departures may shape the success of the side, the matter of replacing two talismanic players from the past season will be another challenge that Glory Days faces. 

The biggest challenge facing Chesterfield is to replace the combined 28 goals and 27 assist efforts of departed Dmitri Torbinsky and Hugo Rodallega, the timely brace scored by Rodallega served as a reminder to Chesterfield of what will need to stay in Division 3, a cutting edge. Manager Glory Days will need to find another source of goals and he may turn to his new transfer Serbian Miralem Sulejmani who is a considered a coup at $5.8 million moving from Division 3 rivals Plymouth Argyle however he isn’t considered a “conventional striker”. The answer may lie within the club with Italian stalwart Alberto Paloschi who predominately was in the shadow of Rodallega and came off the bench but still managed to score 13 goals, another “dark horse” candidate is Fedor Smolov who has developed for the last two seasons and may be ready for the limelight.

Another challenge that Chesterfield will face is to replace Nemanja Matic who has moved to Walsall but in his place is Leon Britton who has shown throughout the final games of the season that he might be the missing piece of the puzzle that Chesterfield need to succeed in the Division 3. His passing ability and defensive position is well suited in a Glory Days system and only time will tell how successful the talented Brit will be at Chesterfield.

The coming of a new season is always exciting for clubs, especially those promoted but there are glaring issues that manager Glory Days will have to address but if the past is any indication, Chesterfield may be the unlikely side which succeeds. 

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