League One Season Preview 2006/07 - Chesterfield

Chesterfield

Odds: 66/1

Last Five Seasons
2005/06 – 16 (League One), 2004/05 – 17 (League One), 2003/04 – 20 (League One), 2002/03 – 20 (League One). 2001/02 – 18 (League One).

2005/06 Cup Progress
FA Cup First Round (replay) vs Leyton Orient (h) – lost 2-1.
Carling Cup First Round vs Huddersfield Town (h) – lost 4-2.
Football League Trophy Northern Section First Round vs Macclesfield Town (a) – lost 2-0.

Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Paul Hall (striker) – 15 goals.

Players In
Phil Picken (Manchester United – Free), Paul Shaw (Rotherham United – Free), Kevan Hurst (Sheffield United – Loan).

Players Out
Colin Heath (Macclesfield Town – Free), Tcham N'Toya (Notts County – Free), Carl Muggleton (Mansfield Town – Free), Rob Beckwith (Released).

At one stage last season it looked as though Chesterfield could cement a play off place but they faded away towards the latter part of the season and finished in their more recognisable place in the lower half of the table.

Chesterfield have done well to preserve their status in League One and this season will be another battle against the drop. The Spireites have added extra firepower to the team by signing Rotherham United striker Paul Shaw on a free transfer. The former Arsenal trainee signed a two year contract after rejecting an offer of a new deal at Millmoor following his switch from Sheffield United in January.

Defender Phil Picken has joined the club on a permanent basis from Manchester United following a loan spell at Saltergate last season. The 20 year old played 33 games for the club following a season long loan deal from Old Trafford.

The club has been boosted by captain Shane Nicholson agreeing a new one year deal which keeps him at the club until June 2007.

Chesterfield have taken French winger Francois Duhamel on trial. The 21 year old, who has experience French Division Two side LB Chateauroux and has recently been on loan at SO Chatallerault, can play on both the right and the left flanks.

Two strikers have headed out of the club in Tcham N'Toya and Colin Heath. The 22 year old N'Toya, who netted four goals in eight loan appearances at Oxford United last season, was snapped up by Notts County following his release from Chesterfield.

Macclesfield Town signed versatile forward Heath who began his career at Manchester United and had loan spells at Cambridge United and Swindon Town before joining the Spireites in January 2006.

Verdict
Another lower mid table finish. Both Paul Hall and new recruit Paul Shaw will need to be on top form to avoid the club being dragged into a relegation dogfight.