Halifax manager wants fans to make atmosphere 'intimidating' for Chesterfield in final day play-off showdown

Shaymen boss Pete Wild has called on Halifax fans to make it ‘intimidating’ and ‘nerve-wracking’ for Chesterfield on Saturday.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The Spireites can secure a play-off spot with a win at The Shay, while the hosts need to beat the Blues and hope results elsewhere go their way.

“It’s a big game isn’t it, it’s winner takes all, it’s going to be great, I’m looking forward to it,” Wild told the Halifax Courier.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“These are the games we all got involved in football for, these occasions, and what an occasion it’s going to be.

Halifax boss Pete Wild.Halifax boss Pete Wild.
Halifax boss Pete Wild.

“If we can implement how well we played against them at their place then hopefully we’ll do alright.”

Chesterfield were boosted by the return of their own supporters last Saturday against Dagenham and Redbridge, but it is the other way around this weekend.

“My rallying cry to them (the fans) would be ‘you’re going to have to be patient,’ Wild explained.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It’ll be nervy, it’s nervy for the players, so we need to make sure you drive them on, regardless of what happens, just keep driving them on.

“I want them to make it as nerve-wracking and intimidating for them (Chesterfield) as they can, the more intimidating it is, the more it’ll come through to the players.

“Look at Maidenhead, we had to fight against their crowd on Saturday.

"We’ve played three games where we’ve had none of our fans in and their fans in, and we’ve won all three, so we can deal with the pressure, let’s see if Chesterfield can.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

As well as collecting three points themselves, Halifax will need Eastleigh and Bromley to slip up on Saturday but Wild insists they must focus on their own business.

Wild added: “Let’s not fear the outcome, let’s enjoy the journey, I think that will be my message come half twelve on Saturday.”

“It’s a massive achievement already in my eyes, regardless of what people say, regardless of the criticism people throw my way about where we should be, we’re fighting for the play-offs every year, which, where we are in the pecking order, is a phenomenal effort.”