Darlington manager Dave Penney feels having to play five games in three weeks is a hectic schedule.
Today Darlington play at Chester, then Morecambe, Bradford City and Stockport County, then a week’s rest before Hereford United visit them on April 12. Currently Darlington are in fourth place in the League just one point behind the Bulls.
And whereas usually clubs have a good idea where they will finish in the League by Easter Monday evening, with the holiday so early this year, Penney thinks he just won't know.
"I always say that come Easter you know where you are, but with it being so early there will still be 21 points to play for, so it’s a little bit early to judge," Penney told the Journal.
"I don’t think it’s just between us and Hereford for the third promotion place and I also think the top two – Milton Keynes Dons and Peterborough United– are not definitely away yet. But it’s the start of four games in 14 days for us, so it’s important we do well. I think it’s ridiculous the Football League have left us with such a busy schedule.
"At times like that you can see why the top clubs have such big squads and they rest players to keep them fresh. We’d love to be in the position to rotate."
Whilst another 'northern' club Rochdale has a heavier fixture schedule than Darlington they shouldn't be left out of the reckoning, even for automatic promotion, as yet. All their eleven games are against clubs currently below them so, on paper at least, have a relatively easy run-in.
Text at top (next game etc)
Next Game: Away At Curzon Ashton On Saturday 19th October at 3.00pm