Listening and learning Chesterfield striker Fraser Bryden adjusts to higher intensity EFL

The cut and thrust of League Two is new to a player who started out in his native Scotland with Ayr and then Queen of the South before travelling across the Irish Sea to play for Crusaders.

Like Bryden, who had a strike rate of more than a goal per game last season, Bonis was a regular scorer in the Irish Premiership before coming to Chesterfield, in his case via Dutch side Den Haag.

The way Northern Irishman Bonis has adapted is a good yardstick for his new team-mate in a demanding league.

"I think the technical side is quite similar but it is a lot more intense here,” said Bryden.

"A lot of the players in this league are physical and strong. The physical side of the game is more intense, I would say.

“Since I came over I’ve spoken to a few of boys. Lee obviously was over in Ireland as well so I’ve asked him questions and he has been brilliant and I continue to do that."

So far, Bryden has had to play himself in with appearances off the bench and a couple of starts in the EFL Trophy against Manchester City U21s and Port Vale.

Although he opened his account with a nicely taken goal against City last week, he has worked hard without a lot of scoring chances coming his way.

“Getting my first goal was important, you always want to get that first one out of the road,” he explained.

"In the game against Port Vale I worked hard but didn’t really have any real chances until just before I came off. It was left foot into the side netting.

"As I’ve always said, the harder you work the more the chances will fall to you, so it’s about continuing to do that.

"Competition in the squad is vital. It makes everyone train that little bit harder and obviously at the minute Lee is playing really well and scoring so you just have to be patient and get valuable minutes in the Trophy games.

"I also have to listen to what the gaffer (Paul Cook) is saying to me and instilling into me in training and, when I get my chance, be in the best possible condition to go and do what he is asking of me.”

Adapting to life off the pitch as well as on it is also a challenge for any young footballer moving to a new place.

Frasers says having a “top” bunch of lads around him has helped, not to mention recent results.

Meanwhile, League Two is taking him to new places and there will be another one to tick off tomorrow when Chesterfield go to Cheltenham Town.

"We’re six games unbeaten in all competitions, it’s really good,” added Chesterfield’s new no.9. “Tomorrow is going to be hard game because Cheltenham have started well and are in a similar position to us, so we know we are going to have to be at our best, but all the boys are in a really good mindset at the moment so hopefully we can go down there and get three points.”