John Pemberton: "My Chesterfield dressing room is not a relegation one"

The Spireites are third bottom of the National League and two points from safety with 16 matches to go.

Pemberton has had two caretaker spells at Bristol City and at the Spireites in 2018 when Martin Allen was sacked and the 55-year-old is confident he has a good set of lads to get Town out of danger.

“It is obviously tough with the situation but I have done it several times at a lot of clubs,” Pemberton said.

"If you look at it as regards as a relegation dressing room I don't see this as (one).

"I have spoken to the players about where we are and they understand.

"At the moment the training is mirroring what they are saying about wanting to improve and wanting to get out of this situation.”

Despite the promising signs in training Pemberton says the “proof is in the pudding” and the results on matchdays will show whether their hard work has paid off.

He added: "The pressure comes in the matches and that is where we have got to perform.

"I am not under any illusions.

"We got off to a great start but it was a tough game (against Sutton) and at the end we were hanging on and I am not going to dress that up.

"I am glad we got the points and in the deservedly so because I thought we did alright in the game but we have got work to do.”