Transfers and FA Trophy - four big Chesterfield talking points

Incomings

James Rowe has brought in eight new faces since his appointment on November 26 and, from what I am hearing, there will be more. I am expecting midfielder Martin Smith, 25, who has just left Salford City by mutual consent, to complete his move to Chesterfield very shortly. Another name who has been linked is Gloucester City defender Gavin Gunning. As part of the deal that saw Rowe and Akwasi Asante join Town, Chesterfield agreed not to approach any more of the Tigers’ contracted players so any move for Gunning would only be possible if he becomes a free agent, which is what happened with George Carline and Alex Whittle. Don’t be fooled by thinking Rowe is building his team for next season now. This campaign is far from over and he has said that himself. He is wasting no time and when Covid calms down and Town can put a run of games together in the second half of the season, they will be ready to have a right go.

Outgoings

Following the new arrivals, David Buchanan, Tyler Denton, Joe Rowley, Liam Mandeville, Jonathan Smith, Regan Hutchinson and Scott Boden all have question marks next to their name. Getting players out on loan has been hampered by the Blues’ Covid situation because they need to isolate. One player who has departed is loanee Jordan Cropper, who has returned to his parent club Burnley. Cropper appeared to have dropped down the pecking order in recent weeks so I suspect the decision was fairly mutual on both sides. The writing was probably on the wall for him when he was not selected to replace the suspended Carline against Solihull Moors last time out. Cropper departs with his head held high after playing a big part in helping the Spireites survive last season.

FA Trophy

We now know that Chesterfield’s FA Trophy fourth round match away at Boston United will go ahead on Wednesday, January 20 (7.45pm KO). With the original fixture postponed because of Covid in the Spireites camp, it looked like Town might have had to forfeit the tie and let the National League North side progress. However, the game now presents an opportunity for the squad to get some minutes in their legs and get their sharpness back ahead of the Wrexham match three days later. It is also a good chance to have a look at new signings Alex Whittle, Jack Clarke and Marcus Dinanga from the start. The winners of the tie receive £5,200 in prize money so a victory would boost the coffers as well.

Should the season be paused?

I really do not want this to happen, but it feels like we are reaching the point where elite sport might have to take a break for a month. On Wednesday the UK recorded 1,564 Covid deaths - the highest ever during the pandemic. The number of games is getting fewer each week, with just three matches taking place in the National League last Saturday. Football has attracted a lot of attention in the last week, particularly around players hugging each other in celebrations, so expect more scrutiny in the coming days.