Whatever you or I think about the current predicament the club finds itself in, there are some compelling facts that simply can't be ignored or papered over.
Firstly, we have the biggest crowds, biggest budget, best training facilities in other words the biggest & best infrastructure in this division in which to support the playing side, an example of this is that last season Chesterfield's annual wage bill was £1.8m, I suspect that the combined wages of Sharp, Hammond, Sammon, Collins and Brayford amounts to this alone - I accept that this alone is no guarantee of success but demonstrates we have the resources to attract a class of player that no other team in this division can and with these & other players (Done, Che, etc) this should be more than capable of getting us into s position to be competitive & challenge for an automatic promotion spot.
So, with the above in mind one has to look at the manager & his ability to gel the players & produce performances & coach tactics that deliver the levels of performances & results, sadly this I believe is the issue - allow me to elaborate.
I was at Walsall yesterday where we were comprehensively outplayed by a team with none of the infrastructure or size of budget or any of the other things we have. Man for man they were fitter & technically superior, they employed a style of play & tactics that they all understood & were comfortable with and which suited their players strengths.
In contrast we were leaden footed and displayed none of the technical capabilities - good first touch, able to pass to their own players, movement off the ball, quick feet, to which Walsall have.
Whilst I agree with other posters on this site who allude to other deeper issues within the club which are undoubtedly affecting and influencing the situation, the players performances and managerial deficiencies can not be ignored.
I believe the club needs a good football brain in the role of Director of football, the club the size of ours demands that someone with sound football experience & a measured management style should be brought in to guide the club in implementing both short & long term plans & importantly to assist with the clubs transfer policy.
I believe the manager is struggling with expectation levels, timescales and impatient owners demands, these alone will create and drive flawed decision making.