Ahead of the Spireites’ important away game at Eastleigh on Friday (3pm), James Rowe talked about the importance of influencing the game in his side’s favour.
He said: “They are going to be hungry because they were in a really good run of form coming into us here. We obviously broke that form.
“They felt that they didn’t perform to the levels they wanted to. The way we dominated that game with the ball and the space, we were really well on top and one-nil flattered them in that game.
“They are going to be hungry to put that right. I think their recent results haven’t warranted the points return. I think they deserve more points than perhaps they have got.
“Ben [Strevens] has done a good job there. We know the challenges. We fully respect what they are doing at Eastleigh, but let’s concentrate on ourselves as well.
“Let’s get to where we want to in the game. Let’s influence the way we want to and if we can reach the levels that we did in the home game against them here, I’m sure we’ll be fine.”
Laurence Maguire was forced off with an injury in the first half of the Weymouth game and Rowe gave an update of the defender, saying: “He’ll be touch and go for tomorrow.
“It’ll depend on the next 24 hours, but he is still struggling. It was a little bit of a gamble to play him against Weymouth.
“I wouldn’t say the gamble didn’t come off because we were very good when he was on the pitch. If Laurence doesn’tmake it, we’ve got players that are chomping at the bit to get an opportunity.”
Chesterfield currently sit in the play-offs after the win against Weymouth and Rowe believes every game will be a cup final until the end of the season.
“The short-term aim was safety when I came in,” Rowe said.“That’s done; now can we secure a play-off place, and can we do it as early as possible? That’s going to be a big ask.
“We’ve got to respect other teams. There are some good teams in this division. We’ve got 14 cup finals and hopefully three more after that.
“It’s different now; people are chasing you. I’ve said that to the players. We’ve been chasing for a while and we’re in there at this moment in time, but it is where you are on May 29 not April 1.”
