Banks: Wins over Blades and Rovers could repay loyal fans

Two wins in the next week at the Proact would go some way towards repaying the fans for their support this season.
Barnsley vs Chesterfield - Ollie Banks celebrates his goal - Pic By James WilliamsonBarnsley vs Chesterfield - Ollie Banks celebrates his goal - Pic By James Williamson
Barnsley vs Chesterfield - Ollie Banks celebrates his goal - Pic By James Williamson

Chesterfield midfielder Ollie Banks can’t explain why the club’s home form hasn’t come close to matching their success on the road.

Only two clubs, Shrewsbury and Crewe Alexandra, have worse home records than the Spireites this season.

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But away from the Proact, Chesterfield are the seventh best team in League One.

A mystified Banks, who scored the winner in Saturday’s vital away win at Barnsley, said: “It would be nice (to win the next two home games.

“The away performances have been very good, and the results have been good.

“I can’t put my finger on why home performances haven’t been there, but hopefully Port Vale was the turning point in our home form.”

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Banks and his team-mates have appreciated the consistency of the backing they’ve had from the stands in a turbulent season.

And what better way to reward the fans than with victories and bragging rights from the derby clashes with Sheffield United and Doncaster, on Saturday and Tuesday respectively.

“We went through a spell where we weren’t winning many games and we were struggling, but they’ve stayed behind us as we need them to,” he said.

“It’s been a tough season at times, but they’ve stayed behind us and hopefully we can repay them.”

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Saturday’s opponents Sheffield United present an unpredictable challenge.

Previewing a game against a Blades side with four wins and four defeats in their last 10 outings he said: “They’ve been a strange side, they’ve had some very good results and some not so good results, but we’ll be going into the game full of confidence.”

That confidence obviously stems from two wins on the trot, but Banks insists the players have been enjoying their football regardless of results since Christmas.

“Of course you do (enjoy it), especially the derbies, that’s what football is all about, the buzz and the atmosphere.

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“Since the gaffer came in it’s been a very enjoyable place to be, lads are enjoying expressing themselves and we’ve put in some good performances.

“Morale is very important, whether you’re fighting relegation or trying to get promotion, togetherness in the squad is massive. We’ve got that.”