Five big talking points for Chesterfield's January transfer window

The closer we have got to it, the more important it is looking for Chesterfield as they aim to get themselves in the race for the top three and a possible shot at promotion to League One. Let’s take a look at some of the big talking points ahead of next month...

BUSY WINDOW

A couple of months ago you probably would have said that Chesterfield would not need to be hugely active in the transfer market in January. Although they were still a bit inconsistent, as they still are now, they had an abundance of exciting attacking options and it seemed only a matter of time before they clicked into gear properly and marched up the table. But fast forward to now and you would have to say that next month might have to be busier than we first expected. For example, injuries to Armando Dobra and Dilan Markanday mean they are probably one more away from being a little stretched in that area of the pitch. Numbers have been light in central midfield for the first half of the season because of injuries so that needs addressing. And then there are positions which need adding to to drive competition up because some players know that their slot in the starting line-up is not really under threat no matter how they perform. Although Chesterfield are seventh and only five points off second you would have to say that they are still underachieving and that there is more work to do than probably first anticipated. As we have said before, what they do or don’t do, could define their season.

CAN MALIK HIT THE GROUND RUNNING?

Malik Owolabi-Belewu will officially join Chesterfield next month once his contract at Canadian top-flight outfit Forge FC expires. The left-sided centre-back has already said his goodbyes and has been training with the Spireites. According to Gary Roberts, the defender has impressed with his knowledge of their style of play and his team-mates. The London-born man has watched all of their games since he knew he would be moving to Derbyshire earlier this year. The 23-year-old, who is currently undergoing a mini pre-season to get up to speed, is said to be an athletic, speedy and powerful defender who is comfortable in possession. The question will be how does the football in Canada compare to over here and how quickly can he adapt to League Two.

CAN FRED ROLL BACK THE YEARS?

Striker Freddie Ladapo looks to be close to being officially confirmed as a Chesterfield player. The 32-year-old, who has been training with Town for about three to four weeks, has been a ‘breath of fresh air’ and is apparently looking fit and sharp. After leaving Huddersfield Town when the summer transfer window had already closed, it meant the forward has got to wait until January before signing for another club. If he can repay the faith shown in him by Cook and his coaching staff and hit the back of the net as often as he did for Plymouth Argyle, Rotherham United and Ipswich Town, then it could be a shrewd bit of business. Some people might be put off by his lack of goals at Charlton Athletic and Huddersfield, and rumoured attitude problems at the Millers, but you sense that that won’t bother Cook too much and he will believe that he can get the best out of him again.

WHERE ELSE DO THEY NEED TO STRENGTHEN?

The spine of the team is the obvious answer and Cook has alluded to that in one of his interviews where he said ‘good news’ is on the way. They probably still need another right-footed centre-back to spice up the competition. And one, possibly two, central midfielders. Should James Berry get recalled by Wycombe Wanderers then they will also need another winger. Chesterfield’s interest in Accrington Stanley centre-half Benn Ward has not reportedly gone away either.

WHAT OTHER DECISIONS NEED TO BE MADE?

There is a meeting this Thursday about decisions on loan players and possible targets. Will Dickson’s loan from Manchester City ends on January 5. Ronan Darcy’s on a season loan from Wigan Athletic but the modern day trend is that there is normally a break clause involved at the halfway point. Will Wycombe’s new-ish manager Michael Duff want to recall Berry and have a look at him himself? Will Matt Dibley-Dias be fit and available for the second part of the season or does his loan from Fulham need to be cut short? Does Owolabi’s arrivial mean Jamie Grimes will be moved on? There are a lot of questions to be answered so it will be intriguing to see how it all unfolds.