Ahead of the Spireites’ trip to Stamford Bridge, manager James Rowe spoke about the importance of the FA Cup third round tie against Chelsea.
Speaking to the media, he said: “It’s exciting for us. It’s a nice break from the league. For us to have this break and have this game is fantastic for everybody involved with the club. It really puts us back on the map.
“You can only enjoy the day if you’re professional in what you do and perform to your maximum. I trust the changing room. We will go there to try and win the game.
“They have a lot of resources in terms of what personnel can play. They can change their shape in and out of possession.
“They’ve got world class players throughout their squad. I’m expecting the toughest game we will probably have all season, and we’ll see how we go.”
Rowe is looking forward to a personal battle on the touchline against Thomas Tuchel – someone he has a lot of respect for.
Tuchel has won trophies in his native Germany, France and of course England, where he secured Chelsea’s second Champions League win last May.
Rowe said: “It’s exciting for me to go against Thomas. His background is similar to mine. I like to concentrate on not the resources he’s got but his game-plans.
“I’ve got a lot of admiration for Thomas and hopefully I get time to sit down, talk to him and learn what I can.”
Many will write Chesterfield off before the first whistle is blown on Saturday, but Rowe has belief in his squad to possibly cause the biggest FA Cup shock of all time.
“You’ve got to dream,” Rowe said. “Without dreams, I wouldn’t be sitting here now. A lot of players will be fulfilling their dreams tomorrow.
“It’s just a really great day to be a part of. I’m really proud to manage this football club on a day like that.”
It will be the first time that Spireites have faced a Premier league side in the FA Cup since the 1997 semi-final against Middlesbrough.
Rowe had a message for all supporters ahead of the tie, saying: “It’s a case of making sure from the moment you open your eyes tomorrow; it’s about enjoying it as a true blue.
“It’s making sure you remember this day going forward. The result will look after itself. We’ll perform to our maximum like we have done all season.
“It’s been a rocky road over the past five or six years and we’re on the up. This is a marker of that, so enjoy the day and remember the day as something to look back on.”
