'True pro, instrumental, started season on fire' - three contenders for Chesterfield's best player of 2020

Here are my three candidates for the award and why...

David Buchanan

The left-back can hold his head up high despite being part of a struggling team for the last two seasons. Buchs is a true professional who is totally dedicated to the game. He keeps himself in tip top condition and is a leader on the pitch. The 34-year-old recently racked up his 600th career appearance which is a great achievement. The defender can always be relied upon for at least a 7/10 performance. He is tough in the tackle and very rarely does an opponent get the better of him. He gets up and down the pitch like someone 10 years younger. His position has come under-threat in the last few weeks with the signings of Joel Taylor and George Carline but I would not be surprised to see him wrestle his starting place back at some stage in the season.

Curtis Weston

The midfielder was most people’s standout performer throughout last season. He was an ever-present from January to March and was instrumental in helping to drag the Spireites away from the relegation zone. At times he really grabbed games by the scruff of the neck and drove Town on. His stunning half volley with just seconds remaining gave the Blues a dramatic 3-2 win against Wrexham in February and he notched in the following match in the 4-0 victory against Ebbsfleet United. The 33-year-old started this campaign a bit slow but has been much better under James Rowe and has gelled quickly with his new midfield partners Jak McCourt and Tom Whelan. He is yet to get on the scoresheet but is playing in a deeper role now. It shows how much Rowe rates him that he gave him the captain’s armband for 6-0 thrashing of Barnet when Will Evans was suspended. Weston has started every game this campaign apart from the FA Trophy game against Brackley Town last time out when he was rested.

Tom Denton

The 31-year-old started 2020 on the bench for John Sheridan’s last match in charge and for John Pemberton’s first game in the dugout but scored on his return to the starting line-up at Eastleigh on January 18 and has never looked back. He went onto score against Wrexham, Harrogate Town, Chorley and Dover Athletic to finish last season with eight goals including three in his last three games. The towering forward played a big part in Chesterfield’s improved form under Pemberton as they just edged out of the National League relegation zone before the campaign was brought to a stop by the coronavirus. Denton has started the 2020/2021 season on fire with six goals in as many games. He has eight in total from 13 league games so far. Overall, he has bagged 13 goals in 23 league appearances in 2020. As well as his threat in the opposition box, Dents has been just as effective at the other end in defending set-pieces. For this reason, Denton is my choice for Chesterfield’s 2020 player of the year.