Tranmere Rovers manager Nigel Adkins was left frustrated after his side fell to a 3-0 defeat at Chesterfield in League Two, calling their performance “not good enough.”
The loss marked another disappointing result for Rovers, with first-half goals from Ryan Colclough and Armando Dobra putting Chesterfield in a commanding position. Substitute Kane Drummond sealed the win with a late third for the Spireites.
Adkins Critiques Tranmere’s Performance
Tranmere struggled to create clear-cut chances throughout the match, and Adkins was critical of his team’s inability to impose themselves on the game. Despite challenging conditions due to strong winds, Tranmere’s failure to manage possession and defend effectively led to the first two goals for Chesterfield, which set the tone for the match.
“The result is not good enough. It was challenging conditions for both sides with the wind and we wanted to play out from the back and press. We gave the ball away and they counter-attacked, and we should have stopped them for the first goal.” – Nigel Adkins
The manager also highlighted a defensive mix-up between Tranmere’s centre-halves just before half-time, which allowed Chesterfield to double their lead.
“It’s just not good enough and it’s up to me. I’m disappointed with the two goals we conceded, as they were avoidable and we should have stopped them.” – Nigel Adkins
Chesterfield’s Dominant Display
Chesterfield, under the guidance of assistant manager Danny Webb, put in a dominant display, with Colclough making a strong return to form. Webb was delighted with the performance, particularly given some players had been dealing with injuries but still pushed through to secure the three points. Colclough’s opening goal, alongside a solid defensive display, helped Chesterfield maintain a clean sheet and earn a comfortable victory.
“It’s sometimes a bit sweeter when we’ve had some performances and results that did not go our way. What’s important now is that the lads appreciate how hard they worked.” – Danny Webb
The win was especially satisfying for Webb and Chesterfield after a tough run of results, and they were pleased to keep a clean sheet, avoiding any late drama in the final minutes of the match.
Writer’s View
The defeat highlights a tough period for Tranmere Rovers, with Adkins clearly frustrated by their inability to execute their game plan and defend effectively. While Chesterfield were well-drilled and clinical, Tranmere will need to regroup and address their defensive vulnerabilities if they are to bounce back from this disappointing result.
Founder and Editor-in-Chief at The Real EFL, Gary is a passionate Lincoln City fan with extensive content creation across the Championship and EFL. He also shares expert football betting tips.
