Chesterfield manager Paul Cook has already set his sights on success next season after crashing out of the League Two play-offs against Walsall.
The Spireites have enjoyed a first season back in the EFL after clinching the National League title a year ago. An excellent end to the campaign culminated in a 4-1 victory over relegated Morecambe to seal seventh spot and a shot at back-to-back promotions.
They came up against a Walsall side that have been in freefall since the turn of the year. Having led the division by 12 points at the turn of the year, they recorded just two wins from the end of January before beating Crewe Alexandra on the final day.
The Saddlers put that behind them by gaining a first leg advantage at the SMH Group Stadium last Sunday. They then confirmed their place at Wembley last night, winning 2-1 on the night and 4-1 on aggregate.
Cook Hoping To Build On Success
Despite defeat in the play-offs, this season can still be viewed as a great success for Chesterfield. Speaking after the game, Cook said they now have to set their sights on a higher finish next season:
“We thought we could learn from the first game where we had a lot of possession without any penetration and we tried to change that tonight.
“But we’ll take our medicine, that’s the nature of the game – you have to lose, you’ve got to have some manners when you get beat because you can enjoy winning even more.
“It’s on us now to go away, lick our wounds and come back stronger next season. We’ve done our best, finished seventh and hopefully we finish higher next year.”
Writer’s View
This is an experience that will only make Chesterfield stronger. There will be an air of disappointment after losing to a team that have been struggling as of late, but they will feel they have a great chance to at least match this season’s achievement next year. Cook has built a great squad capable of building on this momentum and with a couple of quality additions, they will be right up there. The Spireites will be looking at those coming down from League One and will feel they have a great chance of breaking into the top three.
