Mutual respect between experienced managers as Chesterfield head to Cheltenham
There is a mutual respect between opposing managers Paul Cook and Steve Cotterill heading into tomorrow’s League Two tussle between Chesterfield and Cheltenham Town.
Two of the most experienced operators in the EFL face each at Whaddon Road (3pm).
The pair have a combined total of 60 years in the managerial game as well as nine promotions between them and there’s the potential for more.
Cotterill returned to manage Cheltenham a year ago after 23 years away.
Inheriting a side bottom of the table, he helped them stay up and this season he has them performing better than many expected.
They’ve lost just one of their opening seven in the league while Chesterfield arrive just a point behind them in the early standings after taking eight points from the last 12.
Cook called Cotterill a "proven, quality manager with a really strong CV” and noted the change in Cheltenham as a club.
"Let’s have it right, last year they were trying to stay up,” he said. “This year that club is doing well and they are being spoken about outside Cheltenham as a team that could be up there in the shake-up and that’s credit to Steve, his staff, the players and the recruitment.
"You’ve only got to look at the results they’ve had to know how difficult it’s going to be. They’re doing great and they don’t need me to wax lyrical about them on a Friday. We’ll be preparing well, as we do for every team, knowing we are going into a game against a good side and a good manager.”
Those sentiments were echoed by Cotterill in his pre-match press conference.
“I get on really well with him, I like him a lot,” he said of Cook.
“The thing I like about him is that he loves his football. So I see that pretty much in the mirror when I look there.”
The two bosses won’t be side-by-side after kick-off because Cotterill will be serving the last of a three-match touchline ban for his red card following the final whistle of their recent draw with Grimsby.
Like the Spireites, Cheltenham are unbeaten in six in all competitions.
“It’s very early days,” added Cotterill. “I don’t know if it’s a bit early to call it momentum. Winning’s a good habit but I don’t know if six games carries enough weight for momentum because I still think there’s more to come from us.
“So that’s why I don’t know if we’re quite in that groove yet but I think we’re getting there slowly but surely.
“I think it takes a good year to get into a football club with what your ethos is and what you want from your players and your squad, both collectively and individually.
“Chesterfield have got some good players and we know it’ll be a tough game but if we can play to our potential then it’ll be tough for them as well.”