Sam Hird lifts lid on Chesterfield's revival

The point at Colchester United, gained with ten men for most of the game, was followed by a 3-1 win over Crewe Alexandra at the weekend, a win which saw Hird wear the captain’s armband.

Hird said: “The gaffer has had us watch some motivational DVDs.

“I think it is good for the position that we are in. The Colchester game was a great performance considering everything that went against us. It was a great point and the lads were really together.”

On the Crewe win, Hird added: “It’s obviously a great result but no clean sheet, which is what defended want. It was a six-pointer and it opens the gap between us but the battle will go on longer than the next few games.

“You look at the teams around us and above us and some are winning and some are losing and it’s going to go down to the last five or six games. Hopefully we’d like to think we’ll have it sealed by the end but there is a lot of hard work to do, starting with Gillingham on Saturday.”

The captain’s role has been filled by a number of players this season and the former Doncaster man said: “I’ve always considered myself a leader but we have had some good captains here, Sam Morsy has gone and Ian Evatt has been a great captain. Gary Liddle has come in and the gaffer has made him captain but we were unfortunate to lose him to suspension.

“I’d rather have him fit, available and playing than having a three match suspension and having to stand in for him myself, but you do what you’re asked to do. It was my job to lead the side at the weekend and it was a privilege to do it.”

Liddle will miss the trip to Gillingham on Saturday and the vital home game with Blackpool whilst Evatt is out until April at the earliest, so Hird is set to remain as skipper in the short term.