Chesterfield vs Oldham Athletic LIVE: Spireites fall to 1-0 defeat as winless run continues
Our reporter Tom Hardwick will be at the match to bring you all the build-up, team news, updates and reaction.
Chesterfield vs Oldham Athletic LIVE UPDATES
Oldham form guide
Oldham’s last six games have produced a mixed bag of results - with two wins, two draws and two losses. They suffered a 2-1 defeat at Gateshead on Tuesday night, adding to their travelling woes - having only won once on the road this season.
Chesterfield form guide
Chesterfield have gone seven games without a win - last tasting victory against Altrincham at the Technique Stadium on January 24. The Spireites are currently on a run of three consecutive draws, after stalemates against Aldershot, Solihull Moors and a 1-1 draw in their most recent match against Wealdstone earlier this week.
Pre-match thoughts from Danny Webb
Danny Webb said that the team were looking forward rather than dwelling on the result against Wealdstone - and that “ultimately, it’s about getting that three points sooner rather than later.” He said that things did not go “massively wrong” on Tuesday night - but “of course, it could’ve gone a lot better - we’ve got to make sure we put that right against Oldham. It’s up to us tomorrow to lift everyone and get that promotion chase back on track.”
Spireites taking “nothing for granted” and praise for David Unsworth
Danny Webb said that “it takes time” for former Football League clubs to gain a foothold in the National League - and added that Oldham have “had a few good results recently.”
He said that David Unsworth “is someone who has played at and managed briefly at the highest level, so I’m sure he certainly knows what he’s doing. Him and his backroom staff will want to come here and cause an upset. Even though we’re on a bad run, we’re still in a good position in the league. We’ll be going into it as favourites but we’ve got to make sure we earn that tag.
“We can’t take anything for granted, certainly not against an Oldham team that have their own things to worry about. They want to stay in this league, and we’ve got to make sure we maybe put another nail in their coffin and at the same time get our form back on track.”
Danny Webb discusses rotation
When asked about the changes made to the starting XI on Tuesday against Wealdstone, Danny Webb said that “it’s one of them where the manager doesn’t want to change a winning team, but we haven’t been winning, so there’s your chance to make some changes potentially.
“With games on Saturday and Tuesday, a lot of young lads who are in their first season playing men’s football week in week out, their bodies are going to feel it a little bit. Whoever we put out will give their all, get those three points and get us back on track.”
Injury update
Chesterfield have a near-full strength squad ahead of today’s clash with Oldham - with Akwasi Asante the only player who is definitely unavailable. Danny Webb confirmed that Danny Rowe was now back in full training - and said: “Could he be involved? We’ll wait and see.”
Calm before the storm
In place here for Chesterfield’s clash with Oldham Athletic as they look to end their seven-game winless run. Team news for both sides to follow shortly.
Big away following expected
Oldham have sold 1,248 tickets for today’s game - bringing one of the biggest followings to the Technique Stadium this season as they look to earn just their second away win of 2022-23
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LINE-UP: Five changes for Chesterfield
Paul Cook has made five changes for the Spireites today - and Danny Rowe returns to the matchday squad:
1: Fitzsimons
20: King
12: Williams
5: Grimes (C)
33: Clements
28: Banks
35: Jones
7: Mandeville
26: Oldaker
10: Colclough
15: McCallum
Subs: Maguire, Akinola, Uchegbulam, Rowe, Quigley.