How James Rowe has created a winning culture at Chesterfield

Thirteen wins from his first 20 league games is proof of that.

The dressing room was not loud enough when he took over, he says, but he has brought in the right characters to change that.

At half-time against Eastleigh having not performed to their best, words were said by some individuals and they came out in the second-half and won the game.

“The changing room was far too quiet when I came into the club, it just wasn’t the right dynamic for any elite sports team that wants to be successful,” Rowe said.

The Blues boss says it is all about empowering people and making them the masters of their own destiny.

But, of course, there is a respect level and when he or his staff speak, the players listen.

Haydn Hollis and Josef Yarney are two good examples of the culture Rowe has built.

Both players have had spells out of the team but instead of sulking they have rallied round their teammates and made sure they are ready to take their opportunity when it comes.

Rowe says that ‘no stone is left unturned’ when it comes to statistics and that each player has an individual programme. If someone is not hitting their numbers then Rowe’s backroom team make him aware and they try and find out why.

“That is massive and it empowers the individual, if you like, it makes them masters of their own destiny, they know what they need to do to get in the team to have an impact,” he told the DT.

“Josef has done that, Haydn has done that when he has come out of the team, so I am expecting that of every individual that comes out of the squad to make sure that you are still determined, still fully focused on what we want to achieve as a collective because there is a common goal here.”

Everyone is buying into the approach, and the results show that.

“We know we have got a chance of achieving this year, and next year,” Rowe added.

“We are sixth in the league. If that doesn’t excite you to be part of this process then perhaps you are in the wrong sport.”