Column: Wilson's recruitment drive makes Spireites an unknown quantity

The Proact boss has brought in five new faces, so far, and they all have one thing in common – they didn’t play League One football last year.

In fact only one of the new Spireites, Ched Evans, has ever played in League One before.

And even the former Welsh international, Chesterfield’s most high profile signing for some time, has a question mark over his form given a four year absence from competitive football.

There’s an element of intrigue about each and every one of the five new boys.

Those of a glass half full persuasion will be underwhelmed, but for the optimists, there is some real potential in the quintet.

Let’s put Evans’ baggage to one side for one moment – or better still for the next three months – he might be a diamond of a signing in strict footballing terms.

If Wilson can inspire adequate service to the striker, there’s every chance Chesterfield will have a serious goal threat in every game.

That’s the kind of attribute that could ensure an improvement on last season’s 18th place finish in League One.

Another man who knows where the net is will be hoping to fire Chesterfield up the table.

Kristian Dennis has a good goalscoring record at non-league level, but will need to prove his talent transcends what is a big gap in standard between the National League and the third tier of English professional football.

A double figure return would be considered a magnificent debut season for the 26-year-old, but the signing of the much more experienced Evans presumably takes a lot of the pressure off Dennis.

Reece Mitchell is maybe the biggest unknown of the lot.

It doesn’t necessarily follow that a stint in the youth ranks at Stamford Bridge will guarantee a player of real quality in League One.

Signing anyone that was offered a new deal at Chelsea is a coup, however.

And it’s refreshing that the youngster plumped for a better chance of playing for a senior side, instead of remaining in plush surroundings and the relatively inconsequential life of Under 21 football.

If he is as pacey as has been said and can produce an end product, Mitchell will be an exciting prospect.

At the other end of the pitch, much of Wilson’s recruitment is yet to be finalised.

He needs two goalkeepers, one to cover for Tommy Lee while he rehabilitates his post-op shoulder and one to provide competition on a permanent basis.

A left-sided centre-half is also on the shopping list.

But Wilson has filled the aching need for a right-back, with the signing of Paul McGinn.