Spireites: Novak is a nuisance, says team-mate

Centre-half Tom Anderson admits the man who has scored nine goals in 11 games for Chesterfield is a handful for any defender.

“He’s a great player,” said Anderson, on the Birmingham loanee.

“He’s someone you want on your team.

“He works hard, always puts the opposition defence under pressure and when he gets a chance, he takes it.”

Anderson, himself on loan from Burnley, says Novak’s efforts in training match those seen in games: “You want him on your side in training.

“He trains just like he plays in games, he works hard every session.”

Novak’s late goal at Southend stole the headlines, but goalkeeper Tommy Lee and the defence underpinned the victory with their clean sheet.

“That was massive for us as defenders, and Tommy, it’s what you go into games looking for,” said.

“I hate seeing the ball in the back of our net, and hopefully what I’ve brought to Chesterfield is heading and clearing – that’s what I enjoy.”

The form table makes miserable reading for Saturday’s visitors Walsall, winless in six

But Anderson and in-form Spireites are not taking on the tag of favourites: “They’re pushing for automatic promotion and definitely play-offs, they’re there for a reason and not be taken for granted.

“We just have to keep doing what we’ve been doing and make sure we get something from the game.