Why Joe Rowley didn't start for Chesterfield against Ebbsfleet

 

The youngster wasn't in the matchday squad for the second game running and played just 56 minutes of Pemberton's three-game stint as caretaker boss.

Speaking after his final game in temporary control of the Spireites first team, Pemberton confirmed that the midfielder was not injured.

"I haven't involved him, just because I felt we needed a little bit more," he said.

"Obviously the Solihull game, we were in the land of the giants and I felt we needed the extra header there.

"I didn't want to tinker with the team too much."

Pemberton's final match day squad was also missing Alex Kiwomya, who came on and changed the game on New Year's Day at Solihull.

His absence was injury related however.

"He came on at Solihull and during that half he felt sore, he felt it tighten up," said Pemberton.

"I didn't really want to risk him, just because I don't think it's right, there's a new manager coming in and he needs all the fit bodies.

"I felt we could get away without him, although he wasn't available anyway, I wouldn't want to force him into playing because it's important he gets himself fit so he can last and get a run of games because we need him."

Pemberton didn't make wholesale personnel changes while in charge, but he believed his alterations to the style of play were both evident and necessary.

"We've been doing a lot of work on trying to play differently. I think you've seen a difference with how we've played.

"Whether it works or not I think they've needed it. The second half (against Ebbsfleet) we played some good football.

"We kept the ball, we didn't go too long. Dents is just a magnet for a long ball, but we try not to force that one.

"We tried to get in the right positions before we put those balls in and his goal showed that."

New boss John Sheridan is expected to be unveiled by the Spireites by midweek, with his first game in charge next weekend's FA Trophy game at home to Bedford Town.