Four big talking points from Chesterfield's win against Notts County

Gavin Gunning’s first half free-kick – his first goal for the club – was enough for all three points.

Here are four big talking points from the game...

Rotating goalkeepers - can it work?

The big surprise on the team sheet was that Grant Smith was starting ahead of Adam Przybek. That is nothing against Smith, it is just Przybek had started all three games since he joined on loan from Ipswich Town and had done reasonably well. Smith came in for his debut and he was really assured. He did not have much to do in terms of saves but he was quick off his line, his handling was good and so was his kicking. After the game James Rowe said that both goalkeepers will play this season. Can rotating ‘keepers work? It’s an interesting one. We see it happen all the time in other positions but not with the men between the posts because it is such a specialist position. Everton manager Carlo Anceloti has done it this season with Jordan Pickford and Robin Olsen and it appears to have done them no harm. If a manager who has won 15 trophies in his career thinks it is a good idea then it will do for me! The bigger picture is that Town look to have two very capable goalkeepers who will bring out the best in each other. Let the battle commence!

Top of the league!

Well, sort of. The Spireites are top of the National League form table over the last 10 games with six wins and three draws. Two of those draws could easily have been wins as well. They battered Aldershot at home but came up against an inspired goalkeeping performance and they led twice at Dagenham and Redbridge despite playing 80 minutes with 10-men. In all competitions it is only one defeat in 12 for Town. I don’t think Chesterfield’s form is really being mentioned by others yet so they are going under the radar a little, which is no bad thing.

Another clean sheet

Chesterfield have stopped opposition team scoring seven times out of the last 12 which is a brilliant record. And, as we all know, it is not because they sit back and get everyone behind the ball. It is quite the opposite. They pin teams in and don’t let them out. When the back three/five are called upon, they have more than often done their jobs. Happy days.

Super George

George Carline has to be one of the best full-backs in the league. Chesterfield centered their game plan on him at Meadow Lane and it worked perfectly. He is a very intelligent player and I am yet to see a winger get the better of him. He was my man of the match and hopefully he can stay clear of injuries because he is an important cog in this team.

Chesterfield XI (5-3-2): G Smith; Carline, Evans, Hollis, Maguire, Taylor; Gunning (Clarke, 80), Weston, McCourt; Asante (Yussuf 85), Dinanga (Mandeville, 62).

Unused subs: Yarney, M Smith.