'Have I got enough leaders? I don't think I have' - John Pemberton on changing Chesterfield's mentality

The Blues led at half-time against Maidenhead United on Saturday but chucked away the points by conceding two poor goals after a slow start to the second half.

As well as at the weekend, the Spireires have let slip leads against Hartlepool United and Wealdstone and after the game on Saturday Pemberton said he did not know whether it was a ‘mental thing’.

When questioned further about it on Tuesday, the Town boss said: “I think it is a bit everything, going back to the history of the team and where it has been for the majority of the time. It has been a scrap so I think it is a little bit of everything. It is certainly not down to fitness. Concentration, yes, you could point that at concentration to say that is part of it. I would not nail it down to one thing. I think the players are all really good lads, they are all working hard, they all want to improve, I have not got a dressing room which is doom and gloom.”

Previous Chesterfield manager, John Sheridan, said that there was a lack of leaders in the squad and Pemberton agrees.

So is improving the mentality going to be a long process?

“It depends how quickly they take the information on board - that comes down to the individual player,” Pemberton said.

“All players are different. Some players get anxious before games, some people get nervous, some people are fine, some people are chomping at the bit. Everybody is different. There is no right or wrong with that, it is just being about to channel however they are feeling without it running away with them.

“Have I got enough leaders in the squad? No, I don’t think I have. It is not about being loud, you can lead by example and that comes on and off the pitch.

“I think that is an area which I think the group struggle and that is an area we speak about so I am not talking out of term with that.

“It is an area we can hopefully improve.”