Paul Cook is backing his Chesterfield squad to handle the challenge of facing Cheltenham Town despite several key players being away on international duty. The manager believes the last two weeks have been key for building team cohesion and giving valuable minutes to the entire group, which is reflected in the team's current six-match unbeaten run across all competitions.
Cook said the recent results against Manchester City Under-21s and Port Vale had put the dressing room in a good place. He highlighted the period as a chance for supporters to see the players both individually and collectively, with the team finding out more about its options and bedding in new faces. He stressed that the squad has players chomping at the bit and waiting for their chance, viewing the international call-ups as an opportunity for others.
International absences
Chesterfield will be without three or four players for the trip to Whaddon Road. Josh Koroma, who has started all seven league games and is a key figure in the team's stats, is with the Sierra Leone national squad. James Sissons and Gunner Elliott are away with Malta, while Danny Anisjko is with Latvia. Cook is not concerned about the absences, stating he does not feel the call-ups damage the team too much given the depth available.
Respect for the opposition
The manager paid tribute to Cheltenham boss Steve Cotterill, calling him an outstanding and proven manager with a strong CV. Cook noted that Cheltenham are being spoken about as potential promotion contenders, which he sees as credit to Cotterill and his staff. He warned that looking at their recent results shows how difficult the game will be, but insisted Chesterfield are preparing as best they can to be ready for the challenge.
Cook also reflected on the broader context of a long League Two campaign. His side currently sits eighth in the standings with 11 points from seven games. He acknowledged some early-season fan reactions disappointed him and issued a sign that there will still be bumps in the road, urging a sense of realism about the season's length. The team will look to continue its positive form before the next fixtures, which include a home match against Tranmere Rovers on 3 October.
Chesterfield's last meeting with Cheltenham ended in a 2-1 defeat just days ago in the EFL Trophy, adding an extra layer of motivation for the upcoming league encounter.
This story first appeared at Chesterfield FC
