Altrincham FC manager Lee Sinnott gives us the inside track on the Robins’ progress this season in the Vanarama National League. Here’s his latest column for Altrincham Today.
We are back in action today following a two-week break, as our scheduled game last Saturday at Torquay had to be rearranged due to their FA Trophy commitments.
Yesterday’s dreadful weather put today’s match at home to Macclesfield seriously in doubt, but it’s dry & bright this morning, the pitch has passed an inspection and the game is ON, with no further pitch inspections planned.
Macclesfield at the J Davidson Stadium in a National League fixture represents a huge game for our club, the supporters and players and I am hoping that the 14-day break from playing will have allowed our players the opportunity to physically and mentally recharge their batteries.
Following our last game against Guiseley, which finished all square at 1-1, we gave the players a complete week off before training last Saturday in what was the first of three training sessions this week that should prepare us well for today’s encounter.
There has been quite a bit of activity, player-wise, in the last couple of weeks. Johnny Margetts and Dylan Mottley-Henry have gone back to their respective parent clubs (Tranmere Rovers and Bradford City) and George Bowerman has returned from his trial in the USA. We sent him off, on loan, to Telford, but then, out of the blue, came a chance for a trial with MLS club, Orlando City, which represents a first in my experience in terms of loan moves!
Watch highlights from the draw against Guiseley:
I am delighted that Marcus Holness is staying with us until the end of the season. We have been in negotiation with Tranmere Rovers to extend his loan period and those negotiations came to a positive conclusion in midweek. Marcus has slotted in seamlessly at the heart of our defence and we will benefit from having him available to us for the 13 games left this season.
Our league position looks precarious, just one place and a single point above the relegation zone, but I’m focused on pegging back the four teams that are within range above us… if we can do that, then what’s happening below us will take care of itself.
There should be a big crowd this afternoon at the J Davidson Stadium… let’s hope that the Alty fans see the start of a positive winning run. I think that we are due one!
