'We've a lot of good players we haven’t seen enough of’ - Chesterfield chief promises changes in busy spell

Supporters can expect to see a few more different players in the blue and white of Chesterfield over the next week.

Manager Paul Cook’s had made changes only sparingly in the first ten league games and an unchanged line-up for the last three.

Summer arrivals like Junior Eccleston, Alfie Pond, Kiano Dyer and Rafiq Lamptey have got most of their match time in the EFL Trophy and want to be involved in the scrap for league points.

The way Chesterfield have played in their climb to seventh in League Two have to an extent justified the decision to leave well alone. But a run of three matches in eight days, taking in Port Vale away tomorrow and then back-to-back home tussles with Colchester and Crewe, mean changes are going to be necessary.

"I know supporters can be critical over the way I’m reluctant to make changes, “said Cook. “It’s something I’ve always been as a manager. I believe in going back onto the training ground and working harder to be better.

"There always comes a time when a manager has to change a team, that’s logical. Lads at our club are waiting for chances. Sometimes it will come through injury and suspension and it will also come through tactics and changing.

“We are going into a three-game week when I’m sure supporters will see a lot more of our squad. We will certainly see changes within the starting 11 and the substitutes’ bench because I do believe we have got a lot of good players we haven’t seen enough of.

"They will be given time and come the end of the season the squad hopefully will have achieved what we set out to achieve.”

With a playing group in near 100 per cent health, the manager has no shortage of choices.

The return to full-scale training of Zach Hemming this week now offers a strong, senior rival to Ryan Boot in goal.

In the meantime the goal is to make further inroads into the top seven.

Added Cook: "Everyone knows what this game is about. It’s not about xG and attempts on goal. It’s about points on the board. At the minute we are pleased with performances but we would love to have put a few more points.

"All the managers around the country will have different stories about hard luck and the need to do better. At the minute my world is about working as hard as we can Monday to Friday and let Saturday take care of itself.

“I know we will take strong travelling support to Port Vale, then we’ve got the two homes games. What points can we put on the board? Can we improve our league position and get to where we want to be and stay where we want to be? That’s the challenge for us all.”