“The reason there will be 13,000 in the ground tomorrow is because Swindon and Chesterfield fans love the game of football": Paul Cook on the big game
Chesterfield boss Paul Cook is blocking out the noise that constantly surrounds football and concentrating on the business in hand ahead of his team’s biggest game of the season.
The Spireites travel to Swindon Town in pursuit of at least a point to clinch a place in the League Two play-offs for the second straight year.
It comes towards the end of a week which has seen controversial decisions in big European games dominate the headlines along with unrelenting analysis of every facet of the sport.
Cook believes the joy of football is sometimes lost in the constant dialogue about what goes on off the pitch. He also says tomorrow’s big match is a chance to concentrate on what really matters and not the off-field stuff.
"This week we have heard so much about VAR and penalties,” he told the Derbyshire Times. “The reason there will be 13,000 in the ground tomorrow is because Swindon and Chesterfield fans love the game of football.
"Sometimes now we speak more often about off-the-pitch stuff and rules than we actually do about what we all love.
"The fact is, both sets of supporters are preparing for a season-defining game that is going to have so much excitement in it it is untrue. What’s going on in the football world is the furthest thing from my mind.”
Cook has experience of the play-offs.
Their ability to keep things exciting until the last kick has been such that EFL have voted in favour of expanding the Championship play-offs from four to six teams from next season, using a format similar to the one used in the National League which Chesterfield departed two years ago.
That set-up could eventually come to Leagues One and Two although there are no plans at present.
"It is what it is. I think my record in the play-offs is up there with the worst of them,” smiled Cook.
“I just want to concentrate on the game tomorrow. You can get ahead of yourself quickly in football if you think about the what ifs.
"We’re in good form, the lads are training well and we are just looking forward to this game.”
Chesterfield will be travelling south with a strong squad and the likes of Will Grigg, Will Dickson and Tom Pearce back from injury.
Around 2,000 supporters will be following them wanting to make a date for the play-off semi-finals on Sunday, May 10 and Friday, May 15.
Added Cook: “My message is always the same, league tables are decided after 46 games.
"Unfortunately tomorrow night, whether it’s Swindon or Chesterfield, somebody is going to be disappointed.
"If we finish sixth or seventh or wherever it may be, I honestly believe that’s where we’ll have deserved to finish.
"If it’s in the top seven then brilliant. If not then we’ll be the first to congratulate Swindon.”