| Team News: Emotion is the key to this game. The loss of Keith Alexander is a massive blow to those that knew him. A massive blow is nothing though to the devastation felt by the entire Alexander family. The loss from football of a great pioneer and more than anything - a really honest and genuine guy - will be felt for a while by many.
Macclesfield Town have arranged a fitting tribute to the big man, wreaths will be laid by representatives of all the clubs that he was involved with, the minutes silence will be totally silent, the emotion will overwhelm many but the one over riding matter for Alan Knill - three points.
Keith was a good friend to Alan Knill, a good friend to many at the club, its perhaps fitting that we head to the Moss Rose for the first game since Keith's death. The ceremonies will kick off at around 2:30pm but once kick off comes, above everything else and after all the respect has been paid to a great man - only one thing will matter - three points.
The 'p' word is in touching distance, eleven games to go, 33 points to play for. We lie in third place, in the automatic promotion places. This is still in our own hands. Players must relax, there's an edge and a nervousness around the club, not just in the dressing room or as we have seen on the pitch, but in the offices and in the stands.
Perhaps Macclesfield is the perfect place to sort this out, nothing to do with the off field events at Macclesfield - but purely because of that terrace behind the goal. A thousand or so Bury fans packed in - noise and support. We've seen it so many times, the massed ranks of Bury supporters make noise, they support the lads like no other - they get behind the team. Just maybe those gathering behind that goal on the open terraces of the Moss Rose can be the catalyst to rid this nervousness out of the team, just maybe the twelfth man could become the 13th or 14th man, just maybe we can all come together for this game and get those three vital points.
Teams below us are flying, they are picking up results, they are picking up points and points is the key word here - we need those points to keep that gap open. We need those points to take into the last ten games, it becomes 30 points to play for, then 27 points to play for. It's close, very close but to throw it all away now because certain people don't like the tactics, the football and the missed chances is unthinkable.
Remember Keith, pay him the respect he deserves - but once that's done - its three points, its all that matters - can you smell the 'p' word, its not far off.
Paul Scott remains sidelined with a knee injury and is expected be to return in time for the next home game with Aldershot Town. Damien Allen is out for the season following a second operation on a problematic groin injury. Danny Carlton will remain sidelined, although he is back in full training, Alan Knill wants him to go through a series of reserve friendlies before he pushes for the bench.
Andy Bishop is expected to claim his shirt for the second game running after overcoming three serious injuries - all of which required surgery. Michael Jones though is a doubt after taking a knock to the ankle on Tuesday evening. Jones has failed to train since, Sam Hewson is on standby to replace Jones should he fail a pre-match fitness test.
Keith Alexander Arrangements: Macclesfield Town will pay its respects to Keith Alexander before the game against Bury at Moss Rose this Saturday.
The Club will open the London Road Terrace from 12.30pm to allow supporters to place mementos in memory of Keith and to sign a book of condolence.
The turnstiles will open at 1.45pm.
Representatives of the six football clubs managed by Keith - Lincoln City, Ilkeston Town, Northwich Victoria, Peterborough and the two clubs performing on the day - will lay wreathes before a one minute's applause in his memory.
Macclesfield Town would like to extend an invitation to all supporters who might wish to pay their respects to a man who has had a very positive impact on football. Neutral supporters will be welcomed through the turnstiles to join Silkmen and Shakers fans for the game.
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