'It would be a miracle' - Chesterfield boss James Rowe says Spireites cannot be expected to stay top of National League

The Spireites lead the way with five wins and two draws from their first seven matches.

However, the manager knows there is a long way to go and says it will be a ‘miracle’ if they remain in first position between now and May.

On topping the table, Rowe said: “It is a good place to be, it is where we want to be after 44 games.

“We were 22nd 10 months ago or whatever so we have managed to flip that around but it is only the start of the season.

“If we can have similar form in the next 10 months then we will be where we want to be.

“It will be a miracle if we stay top from now until the end of the season, that is probably la-la land thinking, that is not going to happen.”

Being league leaders is a positive feeling for the Blues but the bigger picture for Rowe is how they have managed to transform the culture of the club.

“We are looking upwards rather than downwards and that was the most important thing when I first came in,” he explained. “We needed to inspire people quickly and bring a togetherness and we have certainly got.

“We have managed to change the mindset, it is not just me, it is the leadership from the board as well.

“There is a real wave of positivity at the moment and that is reflected in the attendances at home and the following away.”

Chesterfield have made an unbeaten start to the season but Rowe says they can improve.

“The results have been positive so far and we want to maintain that momentum and continue the unbeaten run as long as we can,” he added.

“I felt last Saturday against Yeovil that we could have gone up a few gears if we needed to in the second-half.

“There is always room for improvement. Can we sustain high intensity levels for 90 minutes at the Technique? Because I don’t think we have done that.

“I think we can string together maybe a 90-95 minute performance at a high intensity, I think we have not reached that level yet.”