SINCE John Askey took over the management of Macclesfield Town, first as caretaker and now on a permanent contract, the Silkmen have taken 12 points from eight games lifting the club from 21st to 19th.

Unless they lose key players Matthew Tipton, Danny Whitaker and Michael Welch to injury, relegation is not a genuine worry.

They have a thin squad, but they have some quality footballers, who are now being complemented by a decent crop of youngsters, most notably Stephen Brackenridge and Michael Carr.

Nor however do I believe the play-offs is a possibility and John Askey's ambition though commendably positive is nonetheless merely in the realm of fantasy.

There are far too many genuinely talented teams to overturn in the remaining 22 games.

But Macc will finish above our M.E.N. rivals Rochdale and Bury. Although neither will face the prospect of relegation the derby fixtures have proved that the Silkmen are the division's best local team.



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