Chesterfield caretaker manager Mark Smith, who took the helm following the recent sacking of Dean Saunders, has spoken to his local media ahead of this weekend's Emirates FA Cup Second Round clash with fellow managerless side Walsall, and has revealed how he has prepared his side for the match, before discussing the possibility of reaching the next round.
Speaking via DerbyshireTimes.co.uk, Mark said; “I’ve spoken to some of the senior players to ask them what the mood is like and it’s clear confidence has been down a little bit. So I did what I do with the kids - started the week with a couple of what I call loading days: short, sharp bursts of games.
“They seemed to like that, and we built up to ten v ten games and opened it up playing on full-sized pitches, doing a bit of light game planning. We’ll end the week with team shape and set plays, no different to normal really. All of the players know what they need to do.
“There’s not the pressure of chasing the three points and there’s the bonus of possibly being in the third round with the big boys. Then who knows? Pull out Manchester United and I may get a rise! I was in a similar caretaker position at Notts County and we drew Aston Villa who had the likes of Dwight Yorke, in the third round and drew before losing the replay.”
“They seemed to like that, and we built up to ten v ten games and opened it up playing on full-sized pitches, doing a bit of light game planning. We’ll end the week with team shape and set plays, no different to normal really. All of the players know what they need to do.
“There’s not the pressure of chasing the three points and there’s the bonus of possibly being in the third round with the big boys. Then who knows? Pull out Manchester United and I may get a rise! I was in a similar caretaker position at Notts County and we drew Aston Villa who had the likes of Dwight Yorke, in the third round and drew before losing the replay.”
SOURCE | THE DERBYSHIRE TIMES