Paul Cook acknowledged changes to the back-line were needed, and several former key defenders were moved on in the summer, including fans’ favourite Jeff King, who made over 100 appearances for Chesterfield.
As well as King, the Spireites released left-back Bailey Clements in the summer, who played over 800 league minutes last season, while the loan contracts of beloved shot-stopper Harry Tyrer and Miguel Freckleton expired.
To balance the outgoings, Cook has signed five defenders and added a goalkeeper to his ranks this summer, and the signings have already made a significant impact in Derbyshire.
The Derbyshire club added a mixture of Premier League loans, experienced EFL stalwarts and exciting free agents to rejuvenate the Spireites’ back-line this summer.
Although we’re only four games into the League Two season, several new additions to the Spireites’ back-line have impressed fans.
On his EFL debut, Devan Tanton was named Supporters Man of the Match in the Spireites’ first League Two match in six years against Swindon after an exciting, attacking display from right back.
But despite Tanton picking up an injury against Derby, his replacement Vontae Daley-Campbell has impressed fans with his superb crossing ability and defending as he was voted Man of the Match against league leaders Gillingham.
Left back Lewis Gordon has over 50 League One appearances to his name, aged just 23, and has played every minute of league action for the Spireites, winning Man of the Match against Salford.
Despite sitting mid-table, only four teams have conceded fewer goals than the Spireites’ three and the stats back that up, with only Barrow, Swindon and Walsall conceding fewer expected goals than Chesterfield’s 0.95 per game.
At the heart of the back line has been marquee signing Chey Dunkley, who has impressed with his aerial dominance and leadership, but the experienced defender will miss the Spireites’ game against Grimsby Town following a seemingly harsh second-yellow card against Gillingham.
The 32-year-old, who captained League One outfit Shrewsbury last season, was the Spireites’ stand-out performer in a 1-0 win over Lincoln in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy in midweek.
The addition of two right-backs and two central defenders to the Spireites suggests that, despite Ash Palmer and Ryheem Sheckleford’s current injury, they still have a long way to go. Together, they were a part of the 13th-best defense in the National League the previous season.
This also applies to left back Branden Horton, who made 26 appearances en route to winning the National League title. However, this season, he has only played 90 minutes of football, including the EFL Trophy, where Jamie Grimes started over Horton at left back against Lincoln.
Chesterfield presently has ten natural defenders on their roster, and although the newcomers have shown promise early in the year,
Dunkley made an impressive 11 clearances, blocked three shots and made two interceptions as the Spireites dug in for an away clean sheet against a Lincoln side who currently sit fourth in League One.
With fresh faces seeing plenty of minutes in Derbyshire, a number of existing squad players have struggled to break into the first team.
Captain Jamie Grimes is among National League title-winners struggling for League Two minutes.
Many Chesterfield fans would’ve expected Dunkley to partner Jamie Grimes at centre-back this season, but the club captain has been limited to EFL Cup and Trophy appearances, having not played a minute of League Two football.
While the 33-year-old was sidelined with an injury for the season opener against Swindon, natural central midfielder Tom Naylor has played every minute of league action at centre-back alongside Dunkley, having only conceded three goals in four matches.
Former Wigan man Naylor was named in the National League Team of the Season thanks to his 11 goals from midfield last season, and due to his defensive exploits, he has now opened up a spot in the middle of the park.
This has allowed Darren Oldaker and Ollie Banks to form a solid partnership in midfield, with the hard-working, tough-tackling Oldaker freeing up Banks to dictate the game from deep, with Banks averaging the most accurate long balls per 90 in League Two with 10.3, according to FotMob.
Grimes was an ever-present in Chesterfield’s National League title-winning defence last season, as he made 45 appearances, and he’s not the only player from last season’s defence currently struggling for minutes.
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