Paul Cook says Chesterfield's success will rely on this one thing
Paul Cook wants Chesterfield to start keeping more clean sheets.
The Spireites are seventh in League Two after the first seven games of the new season, winning four, drawing one and losing two.
They started the campaign with successive clean sheets but have not managed to stop the opposition scoring in the last five league games and two cup clashes against Mansfield Town and Crewe. They shipped in four goals at Gillingham and, although they made 11 changes, conceded seven times against Crewe.
Just like last season, the Blues are not struggling to score goals but Cook is aware that they need to record more shutouts if they are to be successful this season.
"We are really disappointed to have conceded a goal again when we are not in any trouble,” Cook said after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Walsall. “I keep saying it, the goals against column will determine our success this season. It is a big thing for me.”
Meanwhile, the Spireites boss, who has been nominated for the League Two Manager of the Month for August, is pleased to have added young striker Will Dickson, 20, to the squad after he joined on loan from Manchester City on transfer deadline day.
“He is another number nine, bright, plays in good areas, can finish, and wants to work,” Cook said. “As you can imagine, coming out of Man City, he is technically very good. We just needed that extra bit of help for Will and for Lee Bonis.”
Chesterfield return to league action this Saturday at home to MK Dons, who were the favourites to win the title before a ball had been kicked. But they actually go into the clash two places and two points worse off than Town, having lost their last two matches.
The Spireites will definitely be without Matt Dibley Dias, who needs surgery on a knee injury, while Dylan Duffy will also be a doubt. And it remains to be seen whether James Berry can make his first appearance since re-signing for the club on loan from Wycombe after suffering with a tight hamstring.