Champion Shwan Now Has A Very Different Battle On His Hands

Less than two years ago he was between the posts as Macclesfield Town stunned everyone by not only winning the title, but winning it by ten points.

The popular goalkeeper almost hung up his gloves that summer, keen to go out on a high as the Silkmen step foot back in the EFL without him.

But he had one more promotion challenge left - but so far it’s not turned out that way.

Chesterfield for all the quality at their disposal and backing from the stands are still in hot water.

Ahead of the weekend’s live BT Sport grudge match with Notts County, the Spireites remain in the bottom four - but their returning interim manager has given them a fighting chance.

Jalal, 36, didn’t imagine he would be signing up for anything except a battle at the top when they convinced him to keep playing back in 2018.

“Maybe not, but in the last week of January the table doesn’t lie,” he said.

“It’s been a tough season and the manager (John Sheridan) leaving is a reflection on the players. I saw a stat flying round recently saying we have lost more points from winning positions than anyone else.

“I know the league well enough to know how unforgiving it is. It’s opened my eyes to a few things but we’re sticking together and recently we’ve really picked things up.”

The impact of stand-in John Pemberton has been immediate, with the club taking seven points from a possible nine.

“He’s admittedly obsessive,” the experienced stopper said. “Not only has he breathed new life into us, but he has taken the time to get to know the players and that goes a long way.

“He is trying to understand us and trying to get the very best out of us.

“I worked with Eddie Howe when I was at Bournemouth and it’s a very similar approach. They are both so thorough in their preparation - they don’t leave anything to chance and that gives you the best opportunity to go out there on a Saturday and get the result.

“He explains things in-depth and sets his standards. If they aren’t being met he doesn’t hide it!

“We know Notts County will provide a very difficult test for us, but we’ll be ready - we have already shown we can beat them this season and we need to draw on that experience.”

Many were tipping Chesterfield to be one of the sides at the top, but it’s Barrow who lead the way.

That brings back some nice memories for the former Macc man.

“It’s a lot like what happened with us at Macclesfield,” Jalal adds. “Nobody was talking about us in the summer - we just got on with it and the results keep on coming. They are the best side we have played so far.

“Like we had, they have clearly got a special group. Our dressing room that year was incredible - we pushed each other over the line.

“It’s sad what has happened at Macclesfield. I’ve never really spoken too much about it, but I feel that if things would have been done another way we could have gone again in League Two together and pushed for another promotion. The group was that strong.

“We all still keep in touch. We have ‘Champions’ WhatsApp group and we meet up, things are still as they were when we won the league with us all!

“I nearly called it a day after the end of that season, I was very serious.

“But you’re a long time retired. I knew I would miss the football changing room environment and the challenge here at Chesterfield is a big one. Everyone knows it’s a huge club.

“Things are moving forward again and hopefully this weekend we can show everyone that progress has been made in the game at Notts County and get another good result against them.”