A 3-1 home defeat by Northampton last week certainly put a dent in the Macclesfield promotion bandwagon, but they still lie in the play-off zone. Bearing in mind that the Silkmen were most people's favourite for the drop pre-season, then that is no mean feat. Brian Horton has carried on where he left off last season as he turned the club around from what looked like certain relegation to the Conference. He has moulded together a useful team of experience and youth, who look certain of being in the shake-up, come May. One of the vital cogs is 29-year-old Graham Potter. The former England Under-21 international joined Macclesfield last season and has been in good form this year in his left wing-back role. He has even managed to bag himself three league goals this season - the last one being against Northampton - and, as he told Ian Clarkson is looking forward to the Boxing Day clash at Grimsby.
Q:YOU NEED TO PICK UP A RESULT AT GRIMSBY TO KEEP IN THE PLAY-OFF PACK DON'T YOU?
A:Definitely. However, League Two is the sort of division where anyone can beat anyone else on any given day. Obviously the 3-1 defeat against Northampton didn't help us, but we are always capable of scoring goals. We aren't travelling till Boxing Day though, which means that I will get to spend Christmas at home.
Q:A LOT OF PEOPLE TIPPED YOU FOR RELEGATION AT THE START OF THE SEASON DIDN'T THEY?
A:We are proving a lot of people wrong then. When I joined halfway through last season I thought that we had the nucleus of a good squad, even though we were struggling at the bottom of the table. Since then the manager has added players like Tony Barras, Alan Fettis and Mark Bailey, who are all proven at this level.
Q:WHAT HAVE BEEN THE RESONS BEHIND YOUR SUCCESS THIS SEASON?
A:We had a good start - ten points from our first four games - and we have just hung in there ever since. We can grind out results and the points cushion has helped us through the inevitable blip that every team suffers. We have got a good, honest bunch of lads and a great dressing room spirit. That is the key to our success along with a system of playing that suits us.
Q:WHAT IS THAT?
A:We play a 3-5-2 formation and we have been very hard to beat. You won't come up against Thierry Henry at our level so organisation is a big factor. We have made the odd mistake during matches, but they have been honest mistakes and we are trying to iron those out of our game. You need to be good in both boxes and we are strong at the back. And with Mike Sheron and Jon Parkin up front, we are always capable of scoring a goal from nowhere.
Q:YOU DIDN'T EXPECT TO BE IN THIS POSITION WHEN YOU ARRIVED FROM YORK LAST YEAR DID YOU?
A:It has been better than I expected. Luckily for me I settled in quickly and have enjoyed it from the start. I am playing some decent football and in my favoured position of left wing-back as well.
Q:IS PROMOTION THE TALK OF THE DRESSING ROOM?
A:No-one is talking about promotion at present. At the risk of repeating myself anyone can beat anyone in this league so you can't afford to think too far ahead. However, I certainly wouldn't rule it out.
Q:YOU HAVE NETTED THREE GOALS ALREADY THIS SEASON - WHAT IS YOUR BEST EVER RETURN?
A:Probably three! I am enjoying my football and hopefully that is being reflected in my performances. I only have a contract until the end of the season so it is vitally important for me to play well. The situation will be reviewed in the summer and that is what happens for most players at this level.
