Spireites Name Ex-Toon Defender As Manager

Last updated : 18 January 2017 By Footy Mad - Editor

New Chesterfield manager Gary Caldwell insists he will not abandon his footballing principles as he attempts to steer the Spireites away from relegation trouble.

Image result for Newcastle v BirminghamCaldwell, in his first managerial role, won the League One title last season with Wigan playing attractive, possession-based football but on Tuesday he joined a club battling at the other end of the division following just four wins in their last 19 league matches.

The 34-year-old former Celtic and Scotland defender feels Chesterfield, who are in the drop zone on goal difference, have the players to suit his preferred style of play but acknowledges that putting points on the board is his immediate priority.

"I don't think I'll change how I play," said Caldwell, who was sacked by Wigan in October. "I believe in players, I give players the freedom to go and play. I have to give the players the belief and confidence to go and express themselves and I saw a lot on Saturday against Coventry that pleased me.

"I have to try and enhance that. We need to be difficult to play against and hard to beat, first and foremost. My Wigan team was one which dominated possession and liked to attack, which was free-flowing and I'll try to do that here as well with these players because I believe in a lot of them.

"But we need to win matches really quickly in the short term to make sure we are safe in this league next year and then we can build on that. Chesterfield are in a false position given what I saw on Saturday, consistency has been a problem though."