Four big talking points as Chesterfield lose first game under James Rowe to Solihull Moors

Rowe’s anger

Rowe was annoyed this match went ahead and said they had been ‘forced’ into a corner to play it. It was Chesterfield’s second game, against the same opponent, in three days after a 10-day isolation period and Rowe felt it put the wellbeing of his players at risk. He said it affected his plans because he had to take Tom Whelan and Tom Denton off early in the second half because they were tiring. Rowe did not want to comment on where the pressure to play the match had come from, but it wasn’t from the National League.

Missed opportunity

The Spireites have been on a great run under Rowe and this was his first defeat as manager in his seventh game in charge. It was also the first time Chesterfield had conceded in more than nine hours of football after five clean sheets on the bounce. A win would have lifted them up eight places to eighth to the cusp of the play-offs so it is disappointing that they missed this opportunity but overall we can’t grumble too much and there is still plenty to be positive about.

Two new faces

Rowe made his sixth and seventh signing as Chesterfield manager before kick-off in striker Marcus Dinanga from Stevenage and Jack Clarke from Aston Villa, both on loan until the end of the season. Dinanga replaced goalscorer Denton just before the hour. With Dinanga and Clarke in the squad it meant Joe Rowley and Scott Boden dropped out of the squad altogether so it will be interesting to see if they feature in Rowe’s plans over the next few weeks or if they will be allowed to leave on loan.

Dents back scoring

Denton notched his ninth goal of the season to give Town the lead, heading in Jak McCourt’s corner in the first half. It was his first goal in six matches since Rowe’s first game at Weymouth away. With Dinanga brought in, it could not have come at a better time for Denton and will be a timely reminder to the manager of the threat he poses.