Centre Back Dilemmas

This Saturday at home against Bradford City, Spireites boss Paul Cook faces some big decisions on his centre back pairing. Evatt and Margrettier? Raglan and Margrettier? Evatt and Raglan? or Evatt and Hird? 

This is how we think he'll go.

Georg Margreitter, the former Austrian U21 international, now 26, is a strong, hard tackling centre back who has played at Champions League and UEFA Cup level and possesses excellent composure on the ball. The eligibility issues are not a problem for the next league game but tomorrow's game may be his last for the Spireites before returning to Wolves. 

Margreitter who is on a big wage and long deal at Wolves is unlikely to return to the Spireites with Wolves set to look for a suitor who will pay more of Georg's wages than we currently do. With Evatt, Hird and Raglan now all fit and with Broadhead in the wings a centre back is unlikely to be top of Paul Cook's shopping list. I believe Margreitter must have a term in his contract here where he must play when fit. I think it's likely we will see him on Saturday 

Chesterfield captain Ian Evatt, who is now nearing the end of his career, he is a natural born leader, great reader of the game and fantastic header of the ball. Evatt has found himself out with a facial injury which may be the perfect reason to avoid selection issues and give the Chesterfield captain an extra game on the bench and have him fit for a return after Margreitter's departure.

Sam Hird, now 27, is returning from a long term knee injury. Hird is a passionate defender, with good tactical awareness and reading of the game. Who has a good knack of scoring important goals. Hird has found himself in and out of the team during Paul Cook's time at Chesterfield. When Cook first arrived Hird found himself transfer listed and out of the teams plans but fought his way back into them making and solid partnership with Liam Cooper. 

Once Ian Evatt had settled at Chesterfield, Sam once again found himself on the bench but following the departure of Liam Cooper to Leeds, but Sam had secured himself as the partner to Ian Evatt in the Chesterfield defence again. Could Sam be forced to make way for yet another defender, Raglan, or will he fight his way back in again.

Charlie Raglan, now 21, is composed, brave and a good footballer. Charlie has been on a long journey to where he is today. 

In 2012 he joined Hinckley on a permanent basis in the summer after Vale manager Micky Adams 'reluctantly' opted not to offer him a new contract at the club. He later signed with Nantwich Town in February 2013.Manager Jimmy Quinn stating that "he is ambitious and wants to fulfil his potential and realise dream of playing league football.''

He then joined Northern Premier League Premier Division club F.C. United of Manchester for the 2013–14 season, helping Karl Marginson's team to a second place finish in the league.Raglan signed with Chesterfield in April 2014, with manager Paul Cook describing him as  "very much one for the future, having previously signed Ollie Banks from FC United of Manchester, it shows the good work that is being done there to develop young players."

I would suggest the young star man will continue his run of form, playing one game with Margreitter before Evatt's return. Depending on the form of the partnership between Raglan and Evatt may extend how long it is until we see the return of Sam Hird.

Partnership against Bradford: Raglan and Margreitter
Partnership going forward: Evatt and Raglan