Chesterfield confirmed their return to the EFL at the weekend after six long years in the National League. A 3-0 win over struggling Boreham Wood in front of almost 10,000 fans set off wild celebrations at the final whistle.
Having missed the chance on Wednesday to secure the point needed for the title, the Spireites completed the job in front of their own fans and thoughts immediately turn to whether the Derbyshire side can emulate last season’s champions Wrexham and spearhead another promotion charge.
Relegated to the National League in 2018, the club are now on a much more sounder financial footing shown by the captures of Will Grigg, Tom Naylor and Michael Jacobs last summer.
Whilst not being backed by Hollywood superstars, Chesterfield will still have the means to go out and strengthen their squad as the Red Dragons did after promotion despite one of, if not the best performance shown to win non-league’s top division the year previous.
With so many players out of contract in the summer, the club will appear attractive to many prospective signings. Having cantered to promotion with five games to spare, manager Paul Cook will have started his recruitment plans months ago and will already have his eye on where the side needs extra quality.
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Grigg will need more support at the top end of the pitch despite his obvious ability. There is a case for clubs holding four different strikers to counter changes in formation, drops in form and to give themselves as many different options as they can.
This is despite the side plundering 100 goals so far, League Two defences surely won’t be as accommodating. What Cook does have an eye for is finding players who can contribute from all over the pitch, Armando Dobra and Ollie Banks netting almost 20 between them from midfield.
Two of the current top three in League Two are previous National League winners, and there will be some pressure on the Spireites to achieve similar standings. However, there is nothing to suggest they won’t relish the chance to take a double promotion.
It won’t be as plain sailing as this campaign has been though. Notts County have found the going slightly tougher despite running Wrexham to the very end a year ago. Cook will have watched both sides closely again this year to ensure his side make the most of seeing how tactically they can be different and capitalising to leave no room for error.
Clubs relegated from League Two return in much better shape, buoyed by good support having been transformed into a winning club once again. That momentum can carry the team onwards but only so far. Off the pitch the Spireites should have no trouble attracting the quality of players needed to provide another promotion push.
Inevitably players will depart over the course of this close season, it’s the natural cycle of football at all levels. With Cook used to plying his trade at League One level, he’ll be relentless in his quest to take the Spireites back to what many would feel is their natural surroundings.