Chesterfield v Swindon Town matchday thread

[Peter Venkman]

Much as we all wanted Glatzel on the pitch, he didn’t do much.

I have to disagree mate I thought he played some really good passes when he came on and looked way livlier than the plodding Drinan.

[OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR]

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Have to say, I do like Paul Cook. I am also impressed with Kennedy so far to be fair. Just hope he doesn't get fcuked over by the ownership...

[Peter Venkman]

A big well done to the 859 Town fans travelling a fair distance on a Friday night to bolster their crowd to over 9k for the first time for an opening day game in 73 years.

An attendance of 9,262.

[Bob's Orange]

I have to disagree mate I thought he played some really good passes when he came on and looked way livlier than the plodding Drinan.

If you are going to use Harry Smith as a target and he wins the headers, you need someone like Glatzel to latch onto those flick ons. Smith and Drinan didn't work at all, Drinan looked a lot of it whereas Glatzel looked livelier.

[Peter Venkman]

If you are going to use Harry Smith as a target and he wins the headers, you need someone like Glatzel to latch onto those flick ons. Smith and Drinan didn't work at all, Drinan looked a lot of it whereas Glatzel looked livelier.

Indeed, although I was expecting us to get more crosses in to Smith which never really materialised, Longelo got a few in but little from King, Drinan is not mobile enough to work off Smith IMO.

[Nemo]

Need to flip Cotterill & Ofoborh round though - just can’t see any upside to playing Cotterill deep & Ofoborh higher.

I've been thinking about this one - I agree that I'd prefer them to swap, but I was trying to think about what the tactical reason for their positioning is.

I *think* we're looking for the deep lying creative midfielder to be that quarter back, taking the ball off the defenders and pinging it out to the wing backs to play high - so more a vision and long passing 'creative' midfielder than a Kemp style runner with the ball. I guess a L2 Pirlo is what we're after...

Then why you'd have Ofoborh higher up - well, I think it's a square leg round hole thing, our other two midfielders are meant to be mobile and get up and down leading the press, but Ofoborh is a lot of things other than mobile. I think he'll really struggle to shine in this formation - which makes it a bit odd that we offered him a contract at all. I guess it comes down to the manager not actually being the guy who does transfers and the lack of joined up thinking. Maybe he'll come good in the role, but it's certainly going to be a challenge for him.

[DV]

I've been thinking about this one - I agree that I'd prefer them to swap, but I was trying to think about what the tactical reason for their positioning is.

I *think* we're looking for the deep lying creative midfielder to be that quarter back, taking the ball off the defenders and pinging it out to the wing backs to play high - so more a vision and long passing 'creative' midfielder than a Kemp style runner with the ball. I guess a L2 Pirlo is what we're after...

Then why you'd have Ofoborh higher up - well, I think it's a square leg round hole thing, our other two midfielders are meant to be mobile and get up and down leading the press, but Ofoborh is a lot of things other than mobile. I think he'll really struggle to shine in this formation - which makes it a bit odd that we offered him a contract at all. I guess it comes down to the manager not actually being the guy who does transfers and the lack of joined up thinking. Maybe he'll come good in the role, but it's certainly going to be a challenge for him.

You have to have a lightening quick footballing brain to play QB. You don’t get much time before you get ‘hit’ just like an actual QB. Maybe we need to drop him deeper behind the defence so he can have a defensive line.

Can you name someone who wasn’t a world class footballer who has done it effectively?
The first (and only) player I think of in that role is older Paul Scholes.

[Peter Venkman]

As usual here are the good the bad and the ugly comments about us after the game from the Spireites forum.

Stone wall peno got to ball first Swindon player kids the ref

I worry a bit about them snatching one with a set-piece or long ball but that's literally all they've got. The penalty decision, honestly, the less said the better. There won't be an easier decision for a referee all season and he still got it wrong.

But Swindon looked a poor side.

Seems like Swindon know how to kill a game with game management, frustrating as it is.

Longelo just likes a good sit down.

Disappointing as they were poor and there for the taking.

It feels like 2 points dropped but the penalty decision has really done us because the game is dead at 2-0.

t's an extra man for them, it's a weird game because they are playing exactly like the sides we faced in the National League.

This referee is so bad

Sometimes you just have to applaud a goal.

the player picked it up in his half, fair play to him a worldie

They have played well second half. Shame didn't close him down but cracking finish.

We dominated and should have been comfortable winners IMHO with the possession and chances we had, including the stonewall penalty.

Their goal was a worldie that we should have defended better but they will be delighted with that draw given their contribution to that match.

Midfield-wise, great when we are in the ascendency, but struggled a bit second half when Swindon turned up. Agree with those who think Swindon will be bottom 7 material, just one of those games, good to earn the first point

Swindon poor first half. Should have capitalised.

Frustrating that we made a very physical typical league 2 side look above average in second half. They were very average !

As expected they upped their game second half and we went a bit flat. So a draw was a fair result.

efensively we've limited them to nothing other than allowing their centre half to get a shot away from 25 yards which 9/10, when you're letting a centre back shoot from there you're happy because it usually ends in the car park. Unfortunately for us it's ended up in the top corner and probably Swindon's goal of the season wrapped up already, but it's football and these things happen.

Swindon are a large, physical side who resorted to what our friend 'Clarevoyant' deems 'the dark arts' when necessary. Most stuff aimed at their towering CF and played off him. Second half they got tighter and imposed themselves preventing our fluency. We got back on top towards the end but credit to their defence for chucking themselves in front of several goalbound efforts.

Swindon played their deep defensive shape really well in the second 45 and we didn't

On a technical point. The EFL has Swindon top of the league. Shouldnt we be top alphabetically? Thoughts please.? Is it done on average height of the team in which case Swindon would be top as their No 10 was 7ft 6.

were Swindon this leagues Boreham Wood and Solihull, or was this a tactic just to stop us playing? Dark artist

First of all, I did not think Swindon were as poor a side as some have been making out. They were the away side putting in an away type performance and did it quite successfully. They might play a different style to us but I don not think they will be the worst team we play this season.

With a fair wind we should have a good season although it remains to be seen how bad/good Swindon were. Though they defended well and put in some very good last minute challenges.

I also thought Swindon looked an ok side. Big, physical and played to their strengths. Not a lot of football going on but they caused us a few problems 2nd half without creating much. They will do ok this season. The big lad up front looked very useful.

[Nemo]

You have to have a lightening quick footballing brain to play QB. You don’t get much time before you get ‘hit’ just like an actual QB. Maybe we need to drop him deeper behind the defence so he can have a defensive line.

Can you name someone who wasn’t a world class footballer who has done it effectively?
The first (and only) player I think of in that role is older Paul Scholes.

Kasim or Miglioranzi maybe? Not sure they were exactly that role but not far off. Reed at Mansfield, not so much with us as we were short passes only at the time. But I agree it's a tough role, I'm just trying to think about what the plan is meant to be, rather than whether I think it's a good idea or not.

Actually think Conroy might have been quite good at it.

[DV]

Kasim or Miglioranzi maybe? Not sure they were exactly that role but not far off. Reed at Mansfield, not so much with us as we were short passes only at the time. But I agree it's a tough role, I'm just trying to think about what the plan is meant to be, rather than whether I think it's a good idea or not.

Actually think Conroy might have been quite good at it.

Reed & Kasim played deep but I don’t think they really played QB. They moved the ball but only short distances and in Reeds case barely ever forwards.

Conroy probably has the passing range for it. Whether he’d struggle with the smaller window of time in midfield compare to centre back.

I mean - I get what they are trying to do. I understand what the plan is - I just think it’s one that won’t work at this level unless you have an exceptional talent (probably an ex PL player dropping down) in there.

Did Kennedy try this with Lincoln?

[Peter Venkman]

The only Swindon player capable of playing the "QB role" as its now termed was the great Glenn Hoddle, nobody else has got close to it.

[TheDukeOfBanbury]

Kennedy post match

Not had a Manager since Wellens that I enjoy listening to.
Kennedy has something. Has that presence and motivation that as a player you would want to play for him.

[TheDukeOfBanbury]

As usual here are the good the bad and the ugly comments about us after the game from the Spireites forum.

The Chesterfield fans that I spoke to after the game were actually decent and thought we were better second half. They were impressed by our support.🙌🙌⚽️

[Posh Red]

Not had a Manager since Wellens that I enjoy listening to.
Kennedy has something. Has that presence and motivation that as a player you would want to play for him.

Agreed, he does speak very well. The only thing I would say he (and Marcus) could take a bit more credit for the second half turn around as we definitely looked like a much better side in the second half.

The Chesterfield fans that I spoke to after the game were actually decent and thought we were better second half. They were impressed by our support.🙌🙌⚽️

Yep, before & after the game we spoke to several fans & they seemed like a really decent bunch.
I guess it was the first game and all but there did seem to be quite a lot of Police around for what seemed to be a pretty good humoured game

[TheDukeOfBanbury]

Agreed, he does speak very well. The only thing I would say he (and Marcus) could take a bit more credit for the second half turn around as we definitely looked like a much better side in the second half.

Yep, before & after the game we spoke to several fans & they seemed like a really decent bunch.
I guess it was the first game and all but there did seem to be quite a lot of Police around for what seemed to be a pretty good humoured game

First half we were shocking, second better.
Equally wasn’t scared to make numerous changes and Kennedy deserved the point for the game management.

Didn’t feel edgy at all and as you say a big Police presence.
They did come across as a decent bunch, everyone mixing before and after the way it should be.