Post match thoughts from Head Coach Robbie Savage after his side won 1-0 at The Leasing.com Stadium against Warrington Rylands.
It was a weekend to remember fore Savage who celebrated his Birthday, with joy he said: “What a weekend, they are the games when you do not perform at your best.
“Listen we were scintillating against Hebburn the other night, the crowd were brilliant again today over 3,000.”
Savage praised Rylands manager Neil Reynolds: “Neil Reynolds had a good game plan, they were effective, they had good rotations, they were solid and the last 15 to 20 minutes of the first half they popped the ball around really well, but they never really threatened our goal.
“You’re always thinking in the last minute about what happened last year with the equaliser and 97 minutes on the clock, and they might stick one in the top corner, but they didn’t.
Reflecting on the scoreline Savage admitted: “I’ve got to pay a huge credit you can win by four or five but one nil wins, win you leagues and on the back of an unbelievable performance against Hebburn who are a very good side.
“I am absolutely thrilled, I said to both sons that three points today would be the perfect Birthday present.”
Savage continued: “Listen, I love football, it is my life, and it always has been. The enjoyment I get from winning on a Saturday with that group in there, far outweighs anything I did in my career, and I am humble to manage them.”
On what was a great team performance he explained: “Tre’s block was brilliant, Danny Elliott with his eleventh goal. Again, JJ was fantastic, Kengni again, Mendy driving out, Daws’ leading them, Rooney dictating, D’Mani playing on the shoulder.
“Danny Whitehead has come back into the team and is just composed and calm.”
On how to win a game: “We can win football anyway scintillating, fast, patient, when we are up against and when we defend well.”
On paper the result perhaps will not go down as a classic but results elsewhere has meant it was an important win, Savage agreed: “Yes it does obviously, we are all passionate and check scores. I always say in my team talk about consistency and that is what they need and give them the same message every time we step over the line whoever we play.
“Be fitter, stronger and if you run more and work as hard as the opposition or harder. The quality we’ve got in the dressing room will win nine games out of 10. The stats in the running have been unbelievable, the high intensity runs where Nick Smith does an unbelievable job. Also, recovery runs and sprinting back towards your own goal and if they can do all that the quality will shine through.”
He continued: “We have to concentrate on ourselves, I say to them that it is only us that in this moment in time that to beat ourselves through a mistake or complacency, but they are not showing that as we are winning games of football.”
The Silkmen are still unbeaten in the league and remain top of the table he pointed out the camaraderie in the squad: “They are fighting for each other, and I have said when you sit in that dressing room, look at who is sitting next to you and if you think you know what 90 minutes today 95.
“In that dressing room the 16, the 18 or the 20, they look at each other and they believe in each other doing that through hard work and desire.”
Alex Curran was named player of the match after the game, Savage praised him: “I thought he’s done some wonderful touches when he came on and the lads gave him a round of applause because he’s been through it.
“He’s probably not played consistent football for 12 months, but I am pleased for him.”
Macclesfield are in FA Trophy Round One action on Saturday followed by Matlock in the league on Tuesday.
By Luke Johnson