By Adam Walton
August 11 2002

Fresh from the unlucky late defeat at Loftus Road to QPR, the Spireites will be hoping that the visit of cash-strapped Swindon will bring the Spireites' first points of the season. Dave Rushbury will be hoping that the individual errors disappear for Tuesday night when Swindon visit Saltergate. Again, much like last season, errors by individual players cost Chesterfield a well deserved point against a QPR side that is bound to have a say in the promotion shake-up. The frustrating aspect of Chesterfield's play is that they are matching the opposition and even out playing them, but failing to convert vital chances to gain victory, which the opposition is doing.Swindon have had a troubled past few years, much the same as the Spireites.

Last season former Liverpool manager Roy Evans took charge of the Robins, in a bid to win promotion and put Swindon back into Division One. Neil Ruddock joined Evans at The County Ground as player/assistant manager, with the plan being that Ruddock would gain experience and take over at The County Ground when Evans left. The season started brightly for Swindon, with the Robins flying high in the top-six.

However, a bad run, which culminated in a 4-0 defeat to Chesterfield at Saltergate which ironically saw Swindon play well, but were defeated by a rampant 4 goal second half salvo by the Spireites. Evans criticised the commitment of some of his players, and with no funds available to him he left the post of manager. Ruddock took over as caretaker manager, but his lack of experience saw Swindon slide into the bottom 7. The club also revealed that Swindon had massive debts, and coupled with boardroom disputes and the failure to secure funding for a new stadium, Swindon entered administration.

Facing a real threat of relegation, ex-Mansfield manager Andy King, took over at The County Ground. This was surprising as King was sacked before the beginning of the season to make way for Roy Evans!

King managed to save the Robins from the drop, finishing well clear of the drop-zone. However cash problems and debts have meant that like the Spireites, Swindon has had to keep a small and settled squad.

Swindon began this campaign with a good 3-1 home win over newly relegated promotion favourites, Barnsley. Giant striker Sam Parkin, recently signed from Chelsea, scored a hat trick on his debut to bury Barnsley. The Swindon team has plenty of dangerous players that the Blues should be wary of…

Jimmy Davis- on loan from Manchester United. Nippy, skilful, young winger. Any youngster from United has the talent to cause sides problems.

Gareth Edds – Last minute loan signing from Nottingham Forest. Skilful Australian defender, highly rated at the City Ground.

Eric Sabin – Pacy, powerful striker signed from perennial relegation strugglers, French Second Division club, Wasquehal, last season.

Danny Invincible – Pacy and skilful midfielder. Was impressive against the Spireites last season, and must be watched closely.

Juan Cobian – Pacy Argentinean midfielder. Experience of the Premiership with Sheffield Wednesday.

STAR MAN

Sam Parkin – Signed from Chelsea this summer on a two-year deal. Parkin has experience of this division, having successful loan spells with Millwall and most recently Northampton. The main danger from Parkin is his height. At 6 ft 3, Parkin is a real danger from set pieces. If he is not kept under control by the Spireites defence, then he will cause lots of problems.

How will it go?

Well the most worrying aspect for me with Chesterfield is the defence. I’m not criticising Rushbury, but the defence looks dodgy against any set piece that it is put up against. There seems to be a lack of organisation and communication within the defence. This is costing us. Going forward we look good, we just have the problem of scoring the vital second goal when we are 1-0 up. If we can address this problem then I can see us winning more games this year. Plus we need to sort out the home form. Eleven defeats at home last season was pathetic, and ultimately kept fans away from games.

No disrespect to Swindon, but we need to beat opposition like this especially at home. If we struggle against the Robins, then a season of struggle is definitely on the cards. I can see 3 points from the first home game, with Burt and Hurst grabbing the goals.

Prediction

Chesterfield 3 Swindon Town 2