'˜I've applied, it's a massive challenge and it's ready for an experienced guy'

One of the candidates for the Chesterfield vacancy believes it's a job for an experienced man.
Hartlepool United manager Ronnie Moore celebrating with his staff at the end of the game against Exeter City which saw Pools retain their Football League status. Picture by FRANK REIDHartlepool United manager Ronnie Moore celebrating with his staff at the end of the game against Exeter City which saw Pools retain their Football League status. Picture by FRANK REID
Hartlepool United manager Ronnie Moore celebrating with his staff at the end of the game against Exeter City which saw Pools retain their Football League status. Picture by FRANK REID

Ronnie Moore has applied for the position and believes his knowledge of the lower leagues would help the club as they begin life outside the Football League.

According to the ex Rotherham, Tranmere, Hartlepool and Eastleigh boss, it won’t be an easy task for whoever is appointed.

But he appears to relish that fact.

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“It’s a massive challenge, the set-up there is quality,” he told the Derbyshire Times.

“How can a club like that get relegated into the National League?

“It’s a hell of a big job to get out of it, I just see it as a challenge.

“It’s proved it’s ready for an experienced guy, whether that’s me or someone else.

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“It’s got to be experience, someone who’s been there and done it.

“It’s a fantastic challenge for someone to steady the ship and get them going in the right direction.

“They’ve got a job on their hands, it won’t come easy.”

Moore says the new man needs to make some big decisions on the playing staff, many of whom remain under budget next season, build a much meaner defence and develop the club’s youngsters.

“They need to start winning games. You get on a track and momentum takes you, just like losing, it becomes a habit.

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“You start by making sure you’re strong at the back, once you’re safe and solid you can go forward and then you know that even if you give the ball away you’re ok, it won’t end up in the back of your net.

“It’s about how you manage the lads, do you take the pressure off a bit?

“I believe there’s a few still on contract and that will be hard, trying to sort that out.

“Who does the new man want to keep, who do you not want and how do you get rid of them?

“There’s a lot of ifs, buts and maybes.

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“I watched them on Tuesday night and they were awful in the first half, but to be fair to Ian (Evatt, caretaker boss) he changed it at half-time and then they were miles better.

“They didn’t seem to be lacking in confidence, they were going forward and for 45 minutes they showed there’s something there.

“There’s a lot of young kids, so how are you going to get the best out of them? There might be a lot more you can get out of them.”

Moore has managed in the National League, albeit in short spells with Southport and Eastleigh, his last job in the game.

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He’s keen to dispell the notion that you can only succeed with a certain type of player, playing a certain way, on the biggest budget in the division.

“It’s a good league, teams are as good as those at the bottom of League Two.

“A lot of them are full-time, it’s just an extension of League Two with good teams and some good budgets.

“You don’t need a big bruiser of a centre-half, go and head it, just look at Macclesfield last year – they probably had one of the lowest budgets, about £500k I would have thought, they passed it and won the league by 10 points.

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“Tranmere, with all the money, were hanging on for second spot.

“I don’t think there’s a type of player for that division, half the teams are as good as the bottom half of League Two.”

Given the size of the task and the environment in which the Spireites now find themselves, Moore insists it’s not a time to be trusting a rookie manager.

He puts himself in the frame alongside a couple of other men with extensive CVs.

“This next appointment will be vital for the club.

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“Someone with knowledge of the lower leagues – I come into that, I imagine Shez (John Sheridan) will throw his oar in somewhere, Russell Slade is another one.

“I’ve applied for it.

“My agent sent my CV in and I’m just waiting to see what happens.”