'Complete joke' or 'good recruitment'? let's discuss Ross Fitzsimons re-joining Chesterfield less than 48 hours after denying Spireites with penalty save

These are just some of the comments from Chesterfield fans in response to the announcement today that goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons has re-joined the club on loan until the end of the season from Notts County.

‘Why the outrage?’ You might ask.

To summarise; the 25-year-old joined Town on loan in mid-January as cover for Shwan Jalal. But he was recalled by the Magpies after just one week because of an injury to first-team stopper Sam Slocombe. He then played against Chesterfield on Saturday and saved a first-half penalty from Scott Boden. Less than 48 hours later he is back at the Proact.

It is an interesting debate and one where I can see both sides of the argument

The first point to make is that Chesterfield need a back-up goalkeeper to Jalal. Luke Coddington is out injured for the rest of the season and, according to John Pemberton, the youth team ‘keepers at the club are “not ready”.

The caretaker manager has made it clear right from the start that he wanted someone with a bit of experience to come in as he does not want to throw a rookie into a relegation battle. It is something which has given him “sleepless nights”, he has said previously.

This makes perfect sense and initially I think the majority of the fanbase agreed with him.

So what has changed?

From what I can see online, it is not because Fitzsimons saved Boden’s penalty and that he is some sort of villain. After all, what was he supposed to do? Let it slip through his fingers? No professional would do that. And what would have happened if he had had a stinker and dropped one in his own net, would Spireites fans want him back? Probably not.

The bottom line is Chesterfield are getting an experienced goalkeeper who will challenge Jalal for the number one jersey and looks more than capable of stepping in if he is needed.

One Town fan tweeted: “After Saturday's performance I’m very surprised. Big thank you to Notts County because I was very impressed.”

And another posted: “Would you rather have him as cover for Jalal or an untried junior? I know who I prefer.”

But there is a counter argument.

Could Pemberton have taken a risk and selected one of the youth goalkeepers on the bench on matchdays and instead used the funds to bring in a midfielder for example? Possibly. But we all know what the reaction would be if Jalal was to get injured against Wrexham on Saturday and be ruled out for several weeks don’t we? ‘Why didn’t he sign a goalkeeper?’ would be the outcry.

Time will tell whether Pemberton has made the right decision but I think as it stands he has made the correct call and I would not be surprised if Fitzsimons has a part to play between now and the end of the season.