'We were forced into a corner' - Chesterfield manager James Rowe says Solihull Moors double-header is 'not safe'

The Blues face Solihull at the Technique Stadium on Saturday before the rearranged away fixture on Tuesday (January 5).

Town have only just returned from a 10-day isolation period after positive Covid tests in the camp and Rowe believes such a quick turnaround is ‘not safe’ for the players.

Speaking ahead of the double-header, Rowe said: “We were forced into a corner to play the second one, but we will do our talking on the pitch.

“I don’t think it is safe. To ask the players to play two games in three days after coming off a 10-day break is not really looking after the wellbeing of the players in my view but we are where we are and we have got to play that game and like I say we will do our talking on the pitch. Playing two games in three days against the same team is unheard of but we have got to deal with that and I am sure we will.”

Rowe, who did not want to comment on where the pressure to play the second game had come from, continued: “We have just got to deal with it. I don’t agree with that at all but it is what it is, we will cope with it and we will go into the game with real spirit and drive and we have got to make sure we continue our work ethic. The way we have conducted ourselves on the pitch has been nothing short of outstanding since I have been in so we have got to try and continue that.”

Just four places and three points separate the two sides but the Moors have only played 11 games compared to Chesterfield’s 13.

“With their budget and aspirations they probably have not done as well as what they thought they were going to at the start of the season but they are still picking up results,” Rowe added. “They have got games in hand and if they win those games, just like us, you really shoot up the table.”