The Macc are currently propping up the rest of the Football League having taken just three points from their first ten games this season. Last Saturday's 3-3 draw at home to Torquay was, however, something to build on and Brian Horton will be hoping his side can register their first victory of the campaign when the Silkmen host Chester at Moss Rose tonight. Givemefootball's Mark Shail caught up with experienced defender David Morley to get his thoughts on what has been an indifferent start to the campaign and also to talk us through his goal in that draw against the Gulls last weekend.
Q:IT'S BEEN A TOUGH START FOR THE CLUB THIS SEASON, HASN'T IT?
A:It's been a terrible start, but there's a long way to go. Obviously it's something we didn't expect but we're certainly not panicking. We had a similar start last season and managed to turn things around and hopefully we can do the same again, starting with the Chester game tonight.
Q:AT LEAST LAST SATURDAY'S DRAW WAS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?
A:To be honest, in the last three games we've been playing well but just haven't got the results our performances have deserved. We could have scored five or six goals against Torquay but didn't take our chances and in the end we had to battle back to snatch a point. But confidence is high and I'm sure a win is just round the corner.
Q:TALK US THROUGH YOUR GOAL AGAINST TORQUAY?
A:I'd like to say it was a 35-yarder, but it was just a little tap in after their goalkeeper spilled the ball. But I'll take it because it was my first goal of the season and at the end of the day they all count however they go in.
Q:WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS AHEAD OF TONIGHT'S MATCH AGAINST CHESTER?
A:I'm sure it's going to be a difficult game because they had a good win at MK Dons on Saturday so they'll be full of confidence. But as I said, we've been playing okay and a couple of good result can change everything.
Q:IT SEEMS AS THOUGH ANY LEAGUE TWO TEAM IS CAPABLE OF BEATING ANY OTHER ON A GIVEN DAY?
A:That's the way it was last season in this division and it looks to be taking a similar pattern this year. For example, we played Walsall, who are currently top of the table, a couple of weeks ago and we were by far the better side. Again, we were guilty of not taking our chances but if we had we would have definitely won the game. The key to success at this level is to be consistent and winning your home matches is important. Teams like Walsall and Wycombe have good home records so I expect both those clubs to be up there at the end of the season.
Q:YOU HAD A NIGGLING ANKLE INJURY EARLIER IN THE SEASON, WHAT'S THE LATEST ON THAT?
A:It was giving me some trouble a few weeks ago but I had a steroid injection in it and that seems to have cleared the problem up. I missed one game against Grimsby, when I started on the bench, but right now the ankle seems fine.
Q:GIVEN THE CLUB'S INDIFFERENT START, WHAT WOULD BE THE TARGET FOR THIS SEASON?
A:At the start of the season the first priority is to avoid a relegation battle but you always set your sights a little bit higher than that. But there are still plenty of points to play for and I don't think it's beyond us to finish in the top half of the table.
Q:IS MANAGER BRIAN HORTON UNDER ANY PRESSURE RIGHT NOW?
A:I think managers are always under pressure to get results and he is obviously disappointed with the start, as are the players. But he's seen it all before and has got plenty of experience at this level and, importantly, he has the backing of the owners and the squad.
