His men may have put on a magnificent show in hitting Vauxhall Motors for seven but John Askey says a cup run is essential for the future of troubled Macclesfield Town.
In days gone by a cup draw against one of the big boys would be an added boost to club coffers but these days the extra revenue could be the lifeblood of the cash-strapped Silkmen.
The manager’s cut-price team are one of the form sides and welcome Wrexham on Saturday looking to continue their charge up the Conference Premier table.
And with a first-round tie against League One Swindon Town looming Askey is once again calling on the town to back the Blues.
“I?think the scoreline on Saturday showed that we’re a lot better than the division below, despite the problems at the club,” said Askey, who admits to frustration that his tenure as manager – a long-time ambition – is overshadowed by financial problems that still threaten the Silkmen’s existence.
“The frustrating part is the money that’s been wasted –?that and the fact that we should still be in the league,” he said.
“Nobody in my squad earns anything like they should, they’re very good players who came on my proviso that when the club picked up they’d be rewarded.
“They’re doing their bit, and they’ve all got ability – there’s not one player I’m worried about putting in the team and that doesn’t happen often in football. But people still expect the results, especially now when the results have picked up.”
Askey has steered Macc to six wins in eight games but while his men excel the numbers turning out to watch them do so remain disappointing.
“We’re drifting at the minute,” he admitted. “We’re still competing but it’s so hard when we’re still in such dire straits,” he admitted.
“All?I can do is try to concentrate on carrying on this run, keep winning games and hope the town come down to support their team.
“We need the supporters to turn out more than ever, we’re working with the lowest budget we’ve ever had in my time at the club and we’ve got lads playing who are earning less than the stewards!
“And it’s not like we’ve got players who aren’t wanted elsewhere – I don’t think there’s a better goalkeeper in this league than Rhys Taylor, or a better defender than Carl Martin.
“Danny Whitaker is a class player and Connor (Jennings) is banging in goals for fun, anyone who cares about the club should be coming down and watching these lads play.
“I’m sure Swindon will bring a lot up so I hope the town turns out for what will be a typical cup tie. Cup games catch people’s imagination and that’s what we want, we want people to come down and watch us.”
Left-back Danny Andrew, who was taken off with concussion against Vauxhall, is fit enough to play in?Saturday’s Wrexham clash.
