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Looking up

Mike Glendinning
21/11/2007

FOLLOWING Macc’s win at Notts County, Ian Brightwell admits he has one eye on the League Two play-off places.

But it’s not just a knee-jerk reaction from the Macc manager, more a confidence in the squad that, despite a dip in form, is currently closer to the route to League One than the trap-door to the Blue Square Premier.

“We’ve had two league wins on the trot and we’re nearer to the play-off places than the drop zone,” said Brightwell after Franny Green’s sixth goal of the campaign secured the three points at Notts County. “We’ve just got to keep building on the good things we’re doing.

“I asked the players to respond after the cup game at Rushden and they did that. They did me proud.

“Everyone was disappointed after the Rushden game but we’ve got to concentrate on the league now.”

Macc were criticised by Magpies’ boss Ian McParland for what he viewed as a negative approach, a claim disputed by Brightwell: “We knew we had to tighten things up so Jamie Tolley played in front of the back four.

“We played a 4-5-1 formation, but that’s when we’re defending. When we’re attacking it becomes a 4-3-3.

“Tommy Lee made some very good saves, they had chances but I think we deserved more from it.

“We went at them in the second half. We dominated the game, we had most of the possession and we had more shots, so that’s pleasing, especially away from home.”

With off-form Dagenham and Redbridge next up for the Silkmen, Brightwell is pleased that his side look to be edging away from the lower reaches of League Two, but warned against complacency when taking on a struggling newly-relegated side.

“I’m hoping that complacency won’t come into it against Dagenham,” he added. “I spoke to Stuart McCall after Bradford’s game there and he said they’re a very strong side. So I know what to expect and even though they’ve lost four in a row, it will be tough.”

Macc will be without hamstring victim Terry Dunfield, while Martin Gritton (thigh), Simon Wiles (calf) and new loanee Sean Hessey (hip) are not definites to be fit for Saturday.

Brightwell will be crossing his fingers that Luke Dimech comes through Malta’s game against Norway unscathed, though he is happy to bring in players who have lost their starting places: “I may have enough options now but we might make some loan moves later in the week too.

“It was a show of great attitude from the subs on Saturday.

“I told them why they weren’t  starting and they accepted it and just made sure they were ready to take their chance if it came.”