Solihull Moors: Boss Andy Whing fuming at 'ridiculous' schedule
- Published
Solihull Moors boss Andy Whing took over at Damson Park last June
Solihull Moors boss Andy Whing has labelled the National League play-off hopefuls' fixture schedule "ridiculous" at such a key stage of the season.
Having played nine games in 29 days, fourth-placed Moors wanted to move two fixtures to help spread the load.
But they were refused and are down to just 13 fit players as they face four games in 10 days in the lead-up to an FA Trophy semi at Bromley on 6 April.
"In terms of player welfare, we're struggling," Whing told BBC Radio WM.
"We've just played nine games in 29 days, which is ridiculous. And we've ended up with 13 players from that.
"We wanted to play Ebbsfleet this week as we had a free week before the Aldershot game this Saturday, but we weren't allowed because there was an England C game.
"And we wanted to play Southend in the last week of the season to help out with the player welfare side.
"But we've got to play. We'll have to do what we can but we will have to rush players back."
One plus will be having midfielder Callum Maycock back from playing in that England C game against Wales at Llanelli in midweek.
But Whing is worried about how much toll his side's recent programme will have as they head towards a season-defining week in which they head to Bromley for the FA Trophy semi-final on Saturday, 6 April, before returning there for a league game the following Saturday - with a midweek home fixture against Ebbsfleet in between.
Moors, who trail third-placed Bromley by five points, are yet again punching above their weight in the National League - but Whing is determined to prove the doubters wrong.
And he does have on his side one of the most in-form strikers in the fifth tier, in former West Bromwich Albion youth product Tahvon Campbell, who has scored in Moors' last four league games, following his move in early February from Rochdale.
If they get that far, Solihull, playing in their first FA Trophy semi-final after two previous trips to the quarter-finals, might also have two Wembley finals to look forward to.
The play-off final is on Saturday, 4 May, followed by the Trophy final a week later on 11 May.
Moors' remaining matches
23 March: Aldershot Town (a)
26 March: Southend United (h)
Good Friday (29 March): Barnet (h)
1 April: Wealdstone (a)
6 April: Bromley (a) FA Trophy semi-final
9 April: Ebbsfleet United (h)
13 April: Bromley (a)
20 April: York City (h)
Play-off dates:
23 April: Play-off Eliminator A (5th v 6th)
24 April: Play-off Eliminator B (4th v 7th)
28 April: Play-off semi-finals
Andy Whing was talking to BBC Radio WM's Steve Hermon.