Expectations are on the rise at the Moss Rose.
Macclesfield Town remain unbeaten in five games, including two of what are probably the campaign’s toughest assignments, at Woking and Wrexham.
It’s early days of course, but Macc are so far making a mockery of the bookies’ predictions, which have them nailed-on as relegation candidates.
And boss John Askey – while sounding a note of caution – says his squad is sure to improve as they mature together.
He’s recently added experience in defence with the capture of Will Haining, and raw talent up front in the shape of Domaine Rouse.
So, a settled squad, unbeaten in five outings and showing signs that they can take it to some of the Conference’s fancied sides.
Askey may be eyeing more than simply survival for the Silkmen but he’s keeping everything in perspective so far.
“Confidence is high, the players are doing well and whoever they play they should feel good about themselves,” he said following Monday’s 2-2 draw in north Wales.
“We know that whoever we face we’ve got to work hard but we won’t get carried away, not until we’re safe anyway.
“I think everybody at the football club’s really pleased with how they’re doing at the moment.
“Hopefully that will continue, and if we get towards Christmas and we’re still up and around there then the expectations might be slightly different.
“I’m still nervous about things because we’ve got such a small squad that if we get a few injuries then the wheels could come off. But at the moment we’re doing OK so we want to carry that on.”
This weekend comes a match against a team with vastly contrasting fortunes – free-spending Eastleigh who, after winning the Conference South title last season, have continued to splash the cash.
Likely to once again be without Danny Whitaker (back) and Chris Holroyd (hamstring) Askey will once again put his faith in players who, it’s fair to say, haven’t always been able to show their best form for one reason or another.
“This Saturday will be a really tough game,” continued the manager.
“Everybody knows Eastleigh are the money-men of the division, or one of them at least.
“But whoever we play, we’re confident that we can go out and put up a good performance.
“I hope the squad as a whole will improve as we go on. If you look at Waide Fairhurst you can see that, all of a sudden because he’s played a few games on the bounce, he’s a different player – hopefully that’ll happen to a few more lads.
“Arthur (Gnahoua) and Adriano Moke are doing really well too, their understanding of games is getting better, what we need now from them is an end product.
“Both of them need to play week in, week out, they’ll benefit from that.
“They’ve got a lot of pace but also skill on the ball.
“When you’ve got attacking players with the pace they have then you’re always in with a shout.”
