MACC HAVE GUILE TO GO ALL THE WAY

SO, it’s confession time. How many of you, like me, thought fast-starting Macclesfield Town would have run out of steam by now?

How is it possible for a club in recent financial turmoil with a mid-table budget at best to compete with the big guns such as Tranmere Rovers and Wrexham and actually set the title pace going into the final month of the season?

Well, that’s exactly what John Askey’s men have done – and now I expect them to go on and finish the job.

Askey’s side have been simply sensational this season, showing a level of consistency, both home and away, unrivalled by any other in the National League higher reaches.

In 37-year-old Danny Whitaker they have, for me, the Player of the Year, forming a dynamic partnership with another Danny, Whitehead, in the heart of the Macc midfield.

Recent late winners against Gateshead and Woking show that Askey’s men have the stomach for a fight.

Of their remaining six opponents, only playoff chasers Boreham Wood and today’s visitors to Moss Rose, Chester, have anything but pride to play for and that could just work in the Silkmen’s favour.

Askey’s men, however, will be pushed every inch of the way by Paul Doswell’s Sutton United, who simply won’t go away.

The U’s are the best team I’ve seen in action this season and have been boosted further by the shrewd deadline-day signing of striker Byron Harrison, from Barrow.

Doswell’s men have made their 3G Gander Green Lane pitch something of a fortress this season but it will be their away form which will determine their title credentials with tricky trips to AFC Fylde, FC Halifax and Ebbsfleet to come before they end their season with a potentially huge visit of rivals Aldershot Town on the final day.

Just where the Shots will be by then is anyone’s guess – and that’s largely been the problem for Gary Waddock’s men this season.

Countless managers have labelled the Hampshire side as the best footballing outfit in the division this season but Waddock’s men haven’t quite turned potential into points and a lack of consistency could prove to be their Achilles heel going into the more likely event of a play-off campaign.

Tranmere Rovers, too, have failed to piece together the kind of run expected after a woeful start to the season but Micky Mellon’s men have proved they are players for the big occasion and with the roaring Prenton Park faithful behind them, they are remain the team no-one wants to face in the knockout stages.

Wrexham, Boreham Wood, Dover and perhaps fast improving AFC Fylde all represent formidable opponents and mustn’t be ruled out. After the way this season has gone, that’s one thing you can predict.

NLP VERDICT: Late goals recently have shown Macclesfield’s resolve to go all the way. I take Tranmere to redress last year’s play-off nightmare and follow them up