Shaken Spireites aim to end '˜rotten run' at MK Dons

Gary Liddle in action against Fleetwood. Picture by Steve Flynn.

A sequence of eight defeats on the trot has seen Chesterfield hit rock bottom of League One - seven points adrift of Swindon, positioned just outside the drop zone.

The latest in that line of losses came at the Highbury Stadium on Saturday when the Spireites were beaten 2-1 in a game when chances went begging for the visitors.

Chesterfield travel to fellow-strugglers and managerless MK Dons on Tuesday night who are also in the bottom four and on a run of seven league games without a win.

The Spireites skipper said: “We’re on a rotten run at the moment. I’d like to say confidence isn’t dented but, when you’re losing games like we have been, confidence is going to be a little bit fragile.

“We’re hoping if we work hard and prepare properly going into the next game and hope to put an end to the run that we are on.

“Naturally, after the weekend’s game, confidence is going to be low but as the week progresses and the next game comes you’re preparing for that game.

“The lads were in Sunday and were in today (Monday) preparing for the game. That’s all we can do.

“There’s not been a lot mentioned on Saturday’s game or the current run that we’re on, it’s just about preparing for that next game.”

He added: “I think the games we have lost, not every game but most of them, they’ve been lost by fine margins. We’ve gone to Fleetwood and missed a chance from six yards with Jay (O’Shea).

“He’s not the only one. We’ve had some great chances in games and we should have done a lot better. Unfortunately, they’ve not gone in.

“The opposition are always going to get a chance or two and, bad defending or whatever it is, they’ve found themselves scoring.

“From there it’s difficult to come back. It shouldn’t be but with the run that we’re on we’re finding it difficult to get back into games at the moment.”

The Spireites have a long injury list but Liddle believes there is the talent in the squad when they can clear a few from the treatment room.

“I think everyone’s fit there is the players in the squad for us to get out of this situation,” he said. “We’ve got a threadbare squad at the moment.

“The manager is probably playing on or two that he wouldn’t like to play in this situation.

“But, especially for the young lads, it gives them experience and if we can get players back that are on the treatment table at the moment then we’ll be a different animal.”