Paul Cook has explained why Ollie Banks was missing from Chesterfield‘s squad in their most recent game.
Having appeared six times this season, the 32-year-old found himself in the stands whilst the Spireites played out a 1-1 draw against Cheltenham Town. Fellow midfielders Jenson Metcalfe and Darren Oldaker started the game in Derbyshire, with the latter returning from suspension.
The game against The Robins also marked the first time former Sheffield United midfielder John Fleck made a matchday squad, having signed for the season two weeks ago. However, he did not make his debut for the club, with Tom Naylor being brought forward as Everton loanee Metcalfe was subbed off with 20 minutes to go.
Explaining why Banks was dropped, Cook explained (Quotes via Derbyshire Times): “Just a little tactical one. I wanted to bring DJ (Darren Oldaker) in and play Jenson as a holding midfielder. Ollie has got a big future at the club, like every player has.”
It was yet another frustrating draw at home for Chesterfield, making it the third time that has happened in the league after Salford City and Swindon Town both captured points at the reigning National League champions. Dilan Markanday opened the scoring, getting his second goal of the season before Arkell Jude-Boyd levelled the match seven minutes after the restart.
Cook was unhappy with the crowd’s reaction in the latter stages of a game which the Spirites dominated, adding: “We have got lads like Kane Drummond and Jenson Metcalfe, and these are young kids. We are chopping and changing at the end getting Paddy Madden on for 10-15 minutes and Ryan Colclough.
“The reaction at the end to Chey (Dunkley) making a couple of mistakes, I was really disappointed, I have got to say, because Chey was brought in to defend the box and be strong and aggressive, he wasn’t brought in to dictate play. I am a bit disappointed that our fans never stayed with us for a full length of time.
“We are unbeaten at home this season, it’s not the best record in the world, but it’s our record. Late on we should be full of encouragement, energy and life. We have got to give our players confidence and belief.
“We are a possession-based team who try and play. So when teams like Cheltenham come with a clear intent to frustrate us, our crowd reaction doesn’t help the team go forwards. It was a frustrating afternoon and we are probably going to have more of them this season.”
Chesterfield make a short trip north to Doncaster Rovers this weekend, with the clash marking the first time the two sides have played in eight years. The Derbyshire side will be seeking their first win over Grant McCann’s side for the first time since 2005.
Writer’s View
Squad rotation is always a key aspect of any season so having the chance to rest key players like Paul Cook did with Ollie Banks will come to benefit them at a time when they have been lucky with injuries. He will likely return next weekend and add to his impressive start to Chesterfield’s season against Doncaster. With John Fleck coming to the fold with his first squad appearance at his new side, The Spirites have plenty of options to choose from and that was seen with the tactical omission of Banks.
Rovers will be a real gauge of where Chesterfield will be competing this season. After the brilliant performances of Wrexham and Stockport County since they were promoted from the National League, a level of expectation is put on the winners of the fifth division to do well upon their promotion in League Two. Grant McCann’s side were arguably the league’s best team during stretches of last season and earned a play-off place off that scintillating form. A result in South Yorkshire will mark them as a potential contender to finish in the top seven.
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