'Perform well and we can beat anyone'

7:40pm Thursday 21st August 2008

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Paul Heckingbottom column: The most satisfying thing about the Macclesfield result was the performance.

It was good to get a win and I thought we were in control from minute one.

After two good goals from Thorney we knew they would come at us but we coped with it well.

It was our first clean sheet, which is something to build on – we defend as a team and attack as a team so it shows that everyone was doing their job.

Tomorrow’s game against Rochdale could be our toughest test yet but I am expecting it to be a good game of football.

Perkins is a big miss for them but they have added a couple of midfielders to replace him so squad-wise they are as strong as last year.

They also have a lot of young players who I expect will only be getting better but if we perform how we can we can beat anyone in this league.

We lost to two late goals in both games to them last term – that seemed to be the story of our season – so it would be nice to get one back on them.

We know the fans are really looking forward to the Leeds game and the players are exactly the same. It’s created a bit of excitement and as soon as the draw was made we were texting each other.

The Johnstone’s Paint Trophy can get in the way early doors when some teams are not that bothered about it but if you progress the opportunity of playing at Wembley gets closer.

Peter Thorne won it with Stoke and Greame Lee with Doncaster.

Those two players sing it’s praises, particularly Spike, who was captain at Doncaster. For him, it is one of the highlights of his career.

I think a draw like this one at Leeds can only help the profile of the competition.

It’s another derby for us and I just hope the result at Huddersfield hasn’t put a dampener on this one. We’ll certainly be giving it our best shot.