BOSS – FANS SHOULD BACK OFF BLOWER

MACCLESFIELD Town manager Mark Yates has hit back at those that were criticising chairman Mark Blower following the 1-1 draw with Mansfield Town on Saturday.

The Silkmen were trailing 1-0 at half-time after a goal from Malvind Benning, but an equaliser from Harry Smith just after the hour mark meant that Macclesfield took a point from the game at the Moss Rose.

It was after the first half performance that some fans aired their frustrations to Blower, and Yates doesn’t think it should be happening.

“I was disappointed the chairman was getting stick after the first half performance. I know what this man has done for the club, and him and the owners have worked tirelessly,” he said.

“They’ve put a plan in place and got out of the division below way ahead of what was expected on a minuscule budget for that league, so it was never going to be easy in this division.

“I’m not moaning at supporters because they pay their money and have the right to say things, but I’m disappointed people are criticising the chairman.

“I’ll take all the criticism in the world. You can say I picked the wrong players, that’s not a problem. It was only done in a right way with the intention of getting an attack-minded performance.

“I don’t think it needed to go the way of the chairman. I’ve not met a more passionate man in the club than Mark Blower, and after all that he’s done, it’s a bitter pill to swallow.”

Macclesfield sit second bottom in the League Two table, and are still searching for their first win of the campaign having drawn two and lost three of their opening five games.

While that may be the case, Yates says that the passion that his players displayed in the game against Mansfield can’t be questioned.

“The lads showed a tremendous spirit and a tremendous character. They showed that they’re up for the fight and they care about the club,” he said.

“Everyone showed that they’re together. A few things did confuse me as one or two of them didn’t achieve the standards they set last Tuesday, but they showed they all care about each other and the club.”

Up next for Macclesfield is a trip to Crewe Alexandra on Saturday, who are 18th in the table after one win, one draw and three defeats from their five games.