'We are talking about very competitive people": Paul Cook and his Sky TV memory of Crewe Alexandra boss Lee Bell

Lee Bell’s side arrive at the SMH tomorrow having seen their League Two play-off push ended by three defeats from the last four.

The Spireites need to beat them and top-seven rivals Swindon next week to guarantee making the cut.

In theory, Swindon look the stiffer proposition because they’ve everything still to play for but Cook knows from recent experience that Bell will have his players on point.

"I have got to know Lee Bell over the last two seasons,” he said. “Obviously I knew Lee through his playing career but certainly as a coach and a manager the first time I came across his Crewe team when I was doing some work for Sky.

"They lost 2-0 at home to Doncaster (in the League Two play-off semi-final first leg) and I remember listening to his interview after the game. The first thing I thought to myself was that Crewe aren’t out of this tie because you could hear it in the manager’s voice.

"They went on to win the second leg at Doncaster and got to Wembley."

Bell has set his team a target of 72 points – their highest for a while – to end the season.

"It's not about just turning up and hoping you can get through the next 10 days,” he says. “The fans will demand that our players don't do that."

Cook acknowledged: “We are talking about very competitive people. Lee and his staff will come here tomorrow – whether they change their team or not – and will want to put on a performance that is representative of their football club.

"Lee has done a fantastic job and like everybody he’ll be a tad disappointed at the end of the year but I think he can look back and be proud of what he’s doing at Crewe. “

Before they pull on their shinpads the Spireites will have an eye on events eastwards tomorrow lunchtime when Grimsby host Swindon in a 12.30pm kick-off.

In-form Salford upset leaders Bromley last night to move into the automatic promotion slots. Five points separate Chesterfield, in eighth, to Cambridge, in fourth, and the overall picture will be a lot different come 5 o’clock next Saturday.

Cook added: “I have always been a manager that believes the league table tells no lies at the end of the season and that you finish where you deserve.

"People can write stories, or not write stories, but none of us know.

"There are two games to go and League Two is one of the best divisions out of all four. The Championship is good with Millwall and Southampton doing well and Ipswich obviously flying.

"In ours, there are so many permutations and it goes down to ninth position because Barnet can still get in it. They have had an amazing season under Dean (Brennan).

“At the top, a few teams can still be promoted automatically.

"Everyone can’t be promoted. Everyone can’t get in the play-offs. There will be winners and there will be losers. For us it is about concentrating on us and what we can achieve and what we can do and hopefully it’s enough.

“It’s about the final league table and the points you get. We’re on 73 and we think we can get to 79. If we get to 79 we’ll be in the play-offs so it’s up to us to go out and get them.”