Chester City FC: Mark Wright draws a line under Macclesfield misery

Jan 2 2009 by David Triggs, Chester Chronicle

Wright draws a line under Macc misery

MARK Wright is urging his Blues players to put Sunday’s defeat at Macclesfield to the back of their minds when Luton Town roll into the Deva Stadium tomorrow.

A run of three unbeaten matches was halted at Moss Rose as Chester were out-battled by a more physical and combative Macc team.

Wright is wiping the slate clean as he prepares for the visit of Luton, who are expected to adopt a more attractive style of play than the Silkmen.

The Chester boss said: “We’ve got to just regroup, get after it and forget about Macclesfield. You don’t dwell on losses.

“We’ve said our piece and the boys knew that we weren’t happy. At the end of the day, forget about it and build for the next game, which is Luton.”

Wright is a friend of Luton boss Mick Harford. The pair played together for England and Wright knows Harford has lost none of the battling qualities which marked him out as a player.

“Micky Harford is a friend of mine and we know what he’s about,” said Wright. “He’s a big, strong, hard man and he’s a no nonsense manager. We know what to expect and he’ll know what to expect from us.

“Luton will want to play football. They will want to get it down and play and do all the right things, and so will we.”

The defeat at Moss Rose strengthened Wright’s resolve to reshape his squad in the January transfer window, which opened yesterday. The City boss said it was “highly unlikely” anyone would be signed before tomorrow’s game, but added: “The following week we’ll hopefully be doing something, but that’s down to the board. I said when I came here, very loud and clear, that we need to put our stamp on it and change the personnel very quickly. I haven’t changed my opinion.

“I know the positions I want to improve, and I know the personnel I want to get in to improve. If we can do it, great, because then you will see a different side.”

Before he can strengthen, Wright knows he will have to move on some of the fringe players who play no part in his future plans. Tony Dinning and David Mannix have already been told they are surplus to requirements, while a handful of others will also be shipped out.

Damien Mozika is eligible again after serving a one-match ban and could well be drafted straight back into the side to face the Hatters, who will be making their first trip to the Deva Stadium.

The last meeting of the sides at Chester came in the FA Cup fourth round in January 1977 when the Seals won 1-0 thanks to an Ian Edwards goal. You have to go back to October 1966 for the last league meeting between the teams at Chester, which ended 0-0.

The Blues drew 1-1 at Kenilworth Road in September.