Eddie Howe has branded the Premier League's decision to pack four high octane top-flight games into the space of just 10 days as "not ideal".
The Magpies had festive fixtures postponed at Southampton and Everton in December and January but discovered last week that the matches would be played on back to back Thursdays in March.
To make matters worse the trip to Chelsea on March 13 will be sandwiched in between the two away matches making it three games in a seven day period, and FIVE games in a 15 day spell.
