Chesterfield look to extend lead at the top of the National League as they take on Altrincham

Embed from Getty Images

James Rowe’s Spireites will aim to make it 10 games unbeaten in all competitions as Altrincham make the journey to the Technique Stadium on Tuesday evening.

A run of seven wins and two draws since a 3-1 loss away to Woking in late September has launched Chesterfield to the top of the National League.

The hosts average 2.06 goals per game in the league this season with an average of just 0.81 goals. Frontman Kabongo Tshimanga is in fine form as his 16 goals this season have been crucial in the Spireites’ impressive goal difference.

Between the sticks, goalkeeper Scott Loach has set the standards at the ceiling to keep his opponents at bay. The 33-year-old has the most clean sheets this season with nine and a clean sheet percentage of 56.3%.

Along an impressive run of form leading up to Tuesday night’s fixture, Chesterfield beat fellow National League side Southend United to set up a televised FA Cup Second Round tie away to Salford City on December 5th.

Ahead of the midweek fixture, James Rowe said his side ‘needs to play with our DNA the best we can’ to come out with three points.

“I’m sure they’ll come and try to influence the game their way because they’ve got a clear way of playing, but so have we. It was a positive result for them on the back of their disappointment in the FA Cup. It’s a good bounce back from them and shows character in their squad.

“We need to play with our DNA the best we can. It’s going to be a tough evening – no doubts about that, but one we can overcome, I’m sure. It’s going to take an almighty effort against a really technical team with a good manager to overcome the opponent tomorrow.”

Altrincham bounced back from FA Cup disappointment with a 4-1 win away at Weymouth as Matty Kosylo’s double ensured Phil Parkinson’s men shattered a run of six games without a win in all competitions.

Prior to Saturday’s result, the Robins’ last league victory came over a month ago as they came away from their match against Maidenhead United 2-0 victors.

Phil Parkinson knows exactly how dangerous Tuesday’s opponents can be on their day and vowed that his side will have to give everything to get a result.

“We know what it takes and what it smells like [to be up there]. They’ve got a very good manager who has turned it around massively since he’s came in. Chesterfield are a huge club, and they should be up there, as a juggernaut in this division but there’s a few like that, so when you get it right with the resources and everything that they’ve got at their disposal, they should be doing what they’re doing.

“We certainly know that we’re going to have to be above and beyond to get anything out of this game, and whether we like it or not we may have to change slightly what we do because of how well they’re doing at the moment.”

Averaging 1.87 goals scored per game and 1.47 goals conceded per game, the visitors might have to do a bit more than give their all to walk away with three points, but as we know too well, anything can happen.

10 games unbeaten for Chesterfield would be a tremendous achievement and one they will fully deserve, but that won’t stop Parkinson’s Robins from attempting to cause an upset.