A BUOYANT Ian Brightwell has called for more of the same from his players as Macc look to continue their impressive start to the season.

It’s now played five, won one and drawn four for the Silkmen, despite having faced some of the stronger teams in League Two.

After notching his first win in the Moss Rose hotseat, Brightwell has challenged his squad to maintain the consistency required in any successful league campaign.

"We’re full of confidence at the moment," the Macc boss said. "It’s now a case of them keeping it going. With any team, you’re looking for consistency and so far the players have shown that.

"We’ve won the Hereford game by playing creative football and working hard.

"Everyone did their bit for the team, even though we don’t have a big squad. In fact I had just 18 fit players to choose from at the weekend.

"But credit to the players, they can come in and do the job, which gives me a selection problem. It’s a great problem to have though.

"That said, the players who aren’t getting a game can have no complaints because we’re playing well at the minute."

With no reserve team established at Macc, Brightwell is looking to stage regular second-string friendlies to keep his ‘fringe’ players match-fit and ready when they are called upon.

One example is the emergence of Jimmy McNulty, who stepped in and had two excellent games at centre-back, alongside Luke Dimech and Richard Edghill.

"If Jimmy wants to make that position his own, he’s good enough to do that," said Brightwell. "He’s got the height, he’s strong in the tackle and got a good left foot.

"He had to come off because it was a hot day and he was getting cramp but he’s been exceptional.

"We’re looking a much more solid unit at the back, Tommy Lee’s in great form and Franny Green and Martin Gritton look like scoring goals.

"I’ve told the players that we’ve got to kick on from this win now, even though it will be tough on Saturday against Wycombe. We’ve had a fantastic performance but we’ve got to repeat it, week in, week out, and at home and away.

"It’s really all about us and how we perform."