Wilson delighted with fitter, stronger '˜left-back' Donohue

Danny Wilson is delighted with the progression of Dion Donohue, a midfielder that the Spireites boss is converting into a full-back.
Chesterfield FC v Fleetwood Town, Dion DonohueChesterfield FC v Fleetwood Town, Dion Donohue
Chesterfield FC v Fleetwood Town, Dion Donohue

In recent games the Welshman has been operating as a wing-back on the left hand side of a five-man defence.

And Wilson says the versatility of players like Donohue is vital for League One Chesterfield.

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“We don’t carry a squad big enough, we don’t have the luxury of a team of players who play solely one position,” he said.

“You get your Manchester Uniteds with specialists in specialist positions and we can’t, we have to make sure that when we bring a player in there’s more than one string to his bow.

“I think with Dion he’s done brilliantly.

“He arrived as a midfield player, since I’ve been here he’s played mostly at full-back, now wing-back.”

The 23-year-old has impressed his manager off the pitch as well as on it.

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“He’s getting fitter and stronger, that’s for sure,” said Wilson.

“We’ve monitored him on different things and he’s getting a stronger physique.

“The power that he’s got now and his pace is there to be seen so he’s coming on very, very well indeed.

“It’s great if you can pick people out of non-league and they can start to establish themselves in league football.”

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Players might have preferences for certain positions, but Wilson believes they’ll pick regular football over a favoured spot in any formation.

“I don’t think it’s swallowing your pride, I think anyone would like to play in any position as long as they’re in the team,” he said.

“There are certain performances that will get better if you put them in your preferred position but beggars can’t be choosers and we haven’t been able to do that at times.

“I do see Dion as a full-back or wing-back and not as a midfield player at this minute with what we’ve got at the club.

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“I think he could do a job there but I don’t want someone just doing a job, I want them doing a good job or a very good job.

“I think he’s finding this position more suitable as he goes along, he’s getting more used to the positions he needs to take up and how to attack and defend in that area.

“I think he’s done very well.”