In his first blog, Macclesfield FanZoner Bob Trafford insists that life under Keith Alexander is better than it was...
Ignore the statistics, things are looking up at Moss Rose
There's plenty for
FanZone correspondent Bob Trafford to talk about in his first blog of the season, especially when he casts his mind back 12 months to remind us all how things have improved under Keith Alexander. Even if the league table says otherwise...
Last season was one of the most disappointing campaigns which we have witnessed for many a year. Not only were the results not forthcoming, the standard of football on show was nothing short of a disgrace.
Many of the supporters branded Alexander's unique style as "hoofball". Yet this was perhaps too kind on a team who for large parts of the season simply did not have a clue.
To their credit, the board stuck with Big Keef and gave him the opportunity to right the wrongs of our annus horribilis.
With the team currently sitting in 20th place, it would be easy to conclude that the Macc faithful are in for another wretched season, yet if we compare the opening six games of this season to those of last, then we will find that there is much to be optimistic about.
The 2008/09 season began with a right thumping at Shrewsbury Town - who were the bookies pre season tip to take the League Two title. Our defending was abysmal and as we all left The New Meadow, I don't think that I was alone in feeling some degree of shame in the performance, and started to seriously wonder whether the team was good enough to compete in League Two.
This was followed with a great performance against Championship side Blackpool in the Carling Cup, yet a typically lacklustre display against Bradford City the following Saturday saw The Bantams claim a 2-0 victory at Moss Rose.
Macc then made the journey to Accrington Stanley and were absolute garbage. The home side registered a deserved 2-0 victory and many of the players experienced the wrath of the fans as they left the pitch. Even at this early stage of the season people were calling for the head of Keith Alexander and to be fair it was hard not to have some degree of sympathy with them.
A wonderful display at Upton Park was followed by the club's worst ever defeat in the Football League - a 6-0 reversal against Darlington. If the unrest amongst the fans was contained up to this point, it now threatened to boil over. No goals, no points, no passion.
Crewe eased past the Silkmen in the first round of the JPT, scoring three times without reply.
Concern
A Simon Yeo lob, coupled with a header from Paul Morgan ensured that Macc gained their first points of the season at home to crisis club Luton Town on 6th September. The following Saturday, the points tally was doubled when a brilliant defensive display meant that Gareth Evans' second minute goal proved to be the winner.
After six matches, Macc were in 19th spot on six points (although it is worth remembering that three sides were still battling against points deductions).
Another concern at this point of the season was the disciplinary record that had already seen 15 yellow cards and four red cards issued to Macc players.
The situation looked bleak to say the least, and on top of this, The Moss was not a very nice place to come to watch football with more and more people expressing their disgust vocally during games.
Now that we have thoroughly depressed you, let's fast forward 12 months and look at the first six League games of this season.
The season kicked off with an incredibly tricky tie at Northampton Town. Nobody gave us a chance at Sixfields, yet our lads put in one of the best performances of recent years and were unlucky to emerge with just the one point. There is no doubt that we terrorised the home side from start to finish and nobody could have complained if we had left victorious.
A slick Leicester City side ensured that the Silkmen would not progress further than the first round of the League Cup and Sven's dream team ran riot the following Saturday by putting four past Jonny Brain without reply. The County game represents the only match this season where we have been outclassed - yet the fans kept with their team throughout as they could see that the determination and passion was still there.
Cracking
Then came the visit of that big club from the inner city slum of Burslem - Port Vale. It is thought that over 2,000 Vale fans made the short trip to the Moss Rose, each and every one of them expecting three points.
Yet they were to be disappointed as Macc dug in and showed what a good side they are this season. They fought for every ball and never gave in - no matter how lost the cause seemed. Two cracking goals put the Valiants to the sword and sent the Macc fans home singing the names of their new-found heroes.
The following Saturday, Macc really should have scored a hatful against Sammy McIlroy's Morecambe in the first half. It was one of the most one sided halves you could ever witness, and despite only leading through a Matthew Tipton penalty, we dominated proceedings from start to finish.
A Ross Draper screamer was sandwiched in between two defensive lapses which ultimately cost The Silkmen two points. Yet Ben Wright was unlucky to see his injury time "winner" ruled out for an alleged Hamza Bencherif foul in the build-up - three points just was not to be!
Rotherham's illustrious strike force ensured that the Millers left Moss Rose with all three points, but they were made to work for it with Matthew Tipton scoring his third goal in as many matches.
The general consensus of opinion after the match was that Macc had given everything in an entertaining match and that is really all you can ask for. The referee also came in for much criticism after a shockingly incompetent performance which left the Silkmen feeling a tad hard done by.
And then to Crewe. 524 Silkmen fans packed the away end and sung their hearts out for the entire 90 minutes. This represented more than a run of the mill derby match, it represented a genuine crusade of people who believed that Macc would reign supreme in Cheshire.
Investing
Even when we went one down, the singing and the chanting carried on - nobody believed that we would get beat. This was exemplified when Ricky Sappleton sent the visiting fans wild in the 32nd minute with a sweet finish past Spurs loanee David Button. Yet with six minutes left on the clock, Joel Grant was found in acres of space and hammered the winner home.
All this means that Macc currently reside in 20th place - one point and one place worse off than this time last season. Does this mean that we are as bad as last season? Should the knives be out for Alexander already? Should I think about investing in another pair of household slippers for Saturday afternoons?
The answer to all of these questions is an unequivocal "NO". Disraeli famously once said that "there are lies, damn lies and statistics" and the Macclesfield Town case supports this assertion admirably.
Despite it looking as though nothing has changed when consulting the League table, significant strides have been made which should ensure that this season is a great deal better than last year. Firstly, the players that Keith has assembled are committed to this club and their never say die attitude is something which was missing last season. Too many players got away with not giving a stuff last year - they are certain not to this time around.
Secondly, Keith is actually trying to play some attractive passing football instead of the dreadful "hoofball". This in itself is a massive stride forward, and one which is greatly appreciated by the vast majority of fans.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the fans are appreciating what the Keith is trying to do and are supporting them - no matter what the end result may be. That in itself should be appreciated when we look back on the season so far.
In conclusion, despite what the papers say, we are in a much better position than we were last year- and don't let anyone try and tell you any differently!
Is Bob right? Are Macclesfield better off now than this time last year? Would you rather see winning 'hoofball' or are you happier now? Let us know by filling in the feedback form below...
