'Some League One clubs not ready for dog fight.'

The Chesterfield boss says it’s an annual occurence that teams at the bottom of the table start to pick up form at the business end of the campaign, while teams at the top suffer a wobble and midtable teams get a nasty shock.

And the results prove his theory, only one of the bottom eight sides losing their latest fixture, the likes of Gillingham losing three on the bounce and strugglers Oldham and Chesterfield going seven and four games unbeaten respectively.

Wilson said: “The teams at the bottom of the league are the ones in form at this minute in time, they will put a run together.

“It happens every year.

“Teams at the bottom pick some form up towards the end of the year, it always happens.

“And teams in freefall can’t find the strength to turn it around it again, it comes too late because it’s such a surprise.”

Having publically recognised that his team are in the relegation dog fight some weeks ago, Wilson believes Chesterfield are going into the most crucial time of the season with their eyes wide open.

“We’ve been in this battle for a long time so we’re well prepared for it, it’s not taken us by surprise,” he said.

“We’re prepared and we know what we’ve got to do.

“One or two teams might think they’re safe and all of a sudden they’ll not be able to rest their starting 11.”

Spireites travel to eight-placed Southend on Saturday, hoping Wilson’s theory will continue to ring true.

The versatile Gary Liddle will be back in action, after completing his three-game suspension.