Wilson: Scunthorpe may harbour play-off hopes

The Chesterfield boss has the luxury of picking from all but one of the squad who faced Walsall last weekend – the suspended Dion Donohue absent now for three games.

While the Spireites’ stated aim is obviously staying clear of the drop zone, Wilson suspects that Saturday’s hosts will have quiet aspirations of escaping League One.

“Nick (Daws, Scunthorpe boss) will think it’s very easy this managerial lark, won’t he? He’s had a very good run.

“He’s started very well, being his own man now.

“He’s making a good fist of it, but I hope he has a little bit of a stutter at the weekend.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if they harboured some quiet thoughts about sneaking into the play-offs.

“That suggests how tough a game it will be.”

Chesterfield are expecting an organised and ‘aggressive’ opponent according to Wilson, but he has faith in his squad to turn in another good performance on their travels.

Recalling their recent results at Gillingham and Southend, he said: “At home they’re very strong, but we’ve had some fine performances away from home of late.

“If we turn up like we have done in recent weeks we’ll be okay.

“They’re very strong, very disciplined and aggressive in what they do, but we’ll be ready for it.”

It has been a busy week for the former Northern Ireland international, who has sent players out on loan and attempted to bring others into the club, alongside letting the footballing authorities know his thoughts on last Saturday’s talking point – Donohue’s red card.

“It was all instigated by one particular player and from that it escalated,” said Wilson.

“Dion has come and raised his arm, although it’s not a punch, he catches one of the boys with a forearm. But it surprises me that he was the only one punished. I find it very difficult to understand that it’s been deemed violent conduct.

“He didn’t feel his actions warranted a sending off, and I sympathise with him because there was a lot worse going off that went unpunished.

“I’ve sent my own thoughts to the officials and await their reply. It’s up to them to make a decision.”