1. An experienced centre back should be high on Gary Johnson's agenda.
If Torquay United manager Gary Johnson is compiling a wish list of prospective signings over the festive period, it would not be a great surprise if an experienced centre back wasn't near the top of his list. The Gulls are currently on a run of six straight league defeats in which they've conceded 16 goals. However, it's worth remembering that diagnosing the symptoms is often easier than prescribing the cure. Many fans may point to the signing of Guy Branston midway through the 2009-10 season as an example of the calibre of player required by Johnson, but part of the reason that Paul Buckle was able to sign Branston was due to the fact that he had been discarded by Burton Albion after receiving three red cards after arriving in the summer of 2009 - which took his career tally to 18! Therefore any prospective signing could arrive with similar baggage. For the record, Branston, who initially joined United on loan before making the move permanent, was voted as the club's player of the year for the 2010-11 season and was named in the PFA League Two team of the year for 2010-11 as well - and was never shown a red once by any referee throughout his 18 months at Plainmoor.
2. The effect of the injuries on United's form still shouldn't be underestimated.
United's defeat to Chesterfield saw the absence of Jamie Reid, Jake Andrews, Liam Davis and Armani Little. To put it another way, it would be like Leroy Rosenior's automatic promotion winning side of 2003-04 going into a game with David Graham, Kevin Hill, Brian McGlinchey and Jason Fowler all unavailable. To be without four important players is nearly always likely to have a detrimental effect on a team's pattern of play and the end result was there for all to see yesterday.
3. Saikou Janneh's red card was a turning point.
Saikou Janneh's dismissal for a red card following an alleged off-the-ball incident that saw Chesterfield's Laurence Maguire - brother of Manchester United and England defender Harry - require treatment proved to be a turning point in the game. Whether United would have managed to turn things around with eleven men on the pitch we will never know. However, Gary Johnson has said that he will receive the video evidence of the incident before taking the matter further.
4. Chesterfield become the second team to complete the double over the Gulls.
By coming away from Plainmoor with a 3-0 victory, Chesterfield join Eastleigh in becoming the second team so far this season to complete the double over the Gulls.
5. Is the 'Shezzarection mark 2' on for Chesterfield?
After experiencing Torquay United's two 'great escapes' under Kevin Nicholson many of the Plainmoor faithful will be able to relate to the struggles of Chesterfield as the Spireites find themselves battling relegation for the second season in a row. However, assistant manager Marc Crossley identified in the post-match interview that if Chesterfield can repeat their run of nine clean sheets from their final 20 league games, which they achieved last season, then they stand a chance of emulating their achievement of last season by staying in the National League.
It will also go a long way to maintaining manager John Sheridan's reputation as a managerial 'red adair' as he has also led Plymouth Argyle, Newport County, Oldham Athletic and Fleetwood Town to safety during his career in management.
