It was a disappointing Easter weekend for Macclesfield but their fate is still in their own hands. The Silkmen had racked up an incredible eight wins in nine games to leave them in pole position for second place behind Yeovil. However, one point out of six – and a highly controversial one at that – has derailed them slightly. Nevertheless, if they win their final seven games of the season then they are guaranteed promotion and that would be a great achievement for Brian Horton's men. They were tipped as relegation certainties in pre-season but have confounded all the critics and recent signing Neil Mackenzie has played a big part in their success. Since arriving from Mansfield in November, the 28-year-old midfielder has won ten out of the 14 games he has appeared in and given the Silkmen an extra dimension. However, as he told givemefootball's Ian Clarkson he still isn't happy with his form and reckons there is a lot more to come.
Q:WHY DID YOU LEAVE MANSFIELD IN NOVEMBER?
A:Basically, Carlton Palmer didn't think that I could play in a 4-4-2 formation. He told me that Macclesfield had come in for me and that I could go. We play in a 3-5-2 formation and the manager has told me not to worry about my defensive responsibilities as much. It has turned out to be a great move for me and I am here until the end of next season.
Q:ARE YOU STILL CONFIDENT OF AUTOMATIC PROMOTION?
A:I don't think that we have played as well as we can do during the last two or three games. We won six on the bounce and were playing really well but it is still in our own hands. If we win all our games we will definitely go up. We have still got four at home and if we can win all of them then we might only need a point from our three away games. That would give us 80 points and I would imagine that would be enough.
Q:YOU HAVE A BIG GAME AT SCUNTHORPE THIS WEEKEND DON'T YOU?
A:It is a massive game and, after the Easter we have had, one we can't afford to lose. A point would be a decent result as it keeps us in touch with them. We lost at Swansea and had Jon Parkin sent off, which was a massive blow, and we were absolutely awful against Boston so we were pleased to get a point out of the game. Their manager wasn't happy with the goal as he didn't think the ball had crossed the line but their penalty was about a yard outside the box, so it evens itself up eventually.
Q:WHY HAS THE TEAM DONE SO WELL THIS SEASON?
A:Danny Swailes and Dave Morley make a big difference for us at the back. We don't concede many goals and are very hard to beat. We are quite disciplined, although probably don't have a lot of flair in the team. Jon Parkin and Matt Tipton do really well for us up front and some of the goals that Jon has scored have been frightening. He is better with his feet than a lot of people give him credit for. He is suspended after being sent off against Swansea and we will miss him.
Q:ARE YOU HAPPY WITH YOUR OWN FORM?
A:I haven't been 100 per cent happy with the way I am playing. I had a knee injury earlier in the season at Mansfield and I still don't think I am back to my best. There is definitely a lot more to come from me. I am enjoying it though as the gaffer plays me in an attacking role even though I have yet to break my duck. I have done everything but score and I admit that it is playing on my mind a little bit now.
