Manager Paul Cook remains unconvinced by two-up-front argument for Chesterfield
Chesterfield aren’t likely to end their established policy of playing with one man up front as the new season looms.
Regular sole frontman Lee Bonis scored 17 goals in all competitions last term and there is another good finisher in the ranks in Fraser Bryden, fresh from a 23-goal campaign with Crusaders in Ireland.
Bryden was a substitute in last season’s Carabao Cup defeat at Fleetwood and when the Spireites were chasing a goal late on, Bonis was the man he replaced.
While aware there is a call from some supporters to see two up front at times, manager Paul Cook remains unconvinced because it leaves the team lighter further back.
"If I can be brutally honest teams defend with so many players in attack,” he explained.
"When a team is attacking, we will defend with four and it means we are attacking with six. There’s only Man City and Liverpool maybe that defend with three and we are certainly not Man City or Liverpool, that’s for sure.
"Let other people want two up front, that’s an argument that has gone on and on and I find it a pretty tedious and boring one if I’m honest.”
Cook does accept his team need to be cleverer in unpicking packed defences.
It was an issue last season on the way to a second straight appearance in the League Two play-offs and it is certain Chesterfield will be presented with similar puzzles this time around, particularly at home.
“Football is difficult,” he said. “We look at all the stats and one of the things for us in general is that when we have a lot of possession we don’t often win the game. That is valid.
"If I’m being brutally honest I prefer games against teams who want to come out and have a match. I think we’ve always shown up quite well in those. I’m talking Grimsby, Salford, Notts County, the types of matches where possession might be 55 to 45.
"Unfortunately football isn’t always played the way anyone wants. Other teams will play exactly how they want to play and good luck to them. I have no problem with how people play.
"The problem for us is learning and coping and making sure we do the right things to break teams down.
"It’s not as easy as people think, that’s for sure.”