After John Askey and Mike Rance, Silkmen boss Keith Alexander is the next volunteer for our 'In the Spotlight' feature. Over the past week or so you have been sending in your questions, the best of which we put to the gaffer just days before the start of the 2008/09 campaign.

The first question is one sent in my several of you, namely what should our expectations as a club be for the coming season?

"It's a very good question and one I know that is an issue right throughout the leagues, especially for clubs like us. Quite rightly the fans want to see their side pushing for promotion. And then there is the other view that maintaining our league status will be seen as a success."

"Well my aim is that I want to win every game. I want to be challenging for promotion like everyone but sometimes I think you can put too much pressure on yourselves especially at this time of the season. There are still clubs in this division, the likes of Shrewsbury, Wycombe, Notts County and Lincoln that have spent a bit of money. So it's not exactly a level playing field but money has never been a guarantee of anything in life, let alone football. On the flip side, the various points deductions have clearly helped our cause as there are three sides playing catch up."

"The key thing for me is that I want to see improvement. The club has finished in the bottom half of the table for a few years now. That's got to be frustrating for everyone involved, especially the fans. I want to change that, win games of football and make sure people are walking around with a smile on their faces."

"In terms of aspirations, apart from winning every game we go out to play, I want to be in a position to challenge come Christmas. You can't win promotion by that stage but you can certainly set rule yourselves out of the running."

What was it like to work with Barry Fry?

Another good question! I know some might think I have fallen out with him after what happening at Peterborough but nothing could be further from the truth. He actually signed me from Kettering as a player many, many years ago. I had three seasons at Barnet and have been friends ever since. I still speak to him regularly and he knows his football. He has this public image of being a bit of a joker but believe me he takes the game very seriously and is very thoughtful in all he does.

Have you lost out on any players because they have been demanding too much?

Without doubt! Years ago you could 'nick' a player for almost nothing from non-league. Nowadays their expectations, even from players with no league experience, has got to the silly stage. Thankfully there are still some, the likes of Neil Havey and Ahmed that want to come and play football. I think the problem stems from the growth of agents in the game. Whilst there are a lot that do a good job, there are still some who seem to think that there is money awash at this level. It simply isn't the case.

Are you hoping to bring in more players?

Any manager would be but wanting that and I am no different in that respect. Saying that and doing it is another matter. Loan signings are a possibility but I've never been a fan of using them if truth be known. That said, sometimes if the deal is right they can be an increasingly important way of strengthening your squad. But realistically to bring players in will involve moving players out.

Why do you wear yellow socks on a match day?

(Laughs). When I was at Lincoln I had this tracksuit that was too small for me. So I used the socks to hide that fact. We happened to win that game. I didn't bother the game after that and we lost, so I suppose at the time it was a bit of a superstition. But after years of reserach I've worked out that the socks didn't really play a part and it was more down to the players! So now I just wear any to hand. I just happen to have a few pairs of yellow ones!

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

I would love to be still involved in the game. It's been my life since I turned pro, relatively late on at 28. It's clearly a precarious profession, but in recent years (take the Premier League for instance), there are more over 50s still actively involved in senior roles. So there's still hope!

Any thoughts on goal line technology?

I suppose it is a good thing if it meant you ended up not conceding a goal. I think the key thing is that the powers that be take a decision and stop dithering. And if they do decide to adopt it, it has to be consistent and used throughout the game. There's no point having it just for the top flight, it has to be used throughout otherwise it will be a bit of a mockery in my opinion. That's where costs may prove prohibitive.

Where does Jordan Hadfield feature in your plans?

He's as important a member of the squad as any other of the lads. Obviously I hadn't seen him last season so when he retuned from MK it was like having a new signing. And from what I have seen he is a good player and he's got as much of an opportunity as any to force his way into the side.

And finally who do you see as favourites for promotion this season?

With Posh and MK Dons having got promoted I think the league is wide open. Our first two opponents (Shrewsbury and Bradford) won't be far off and I also think the relegated teams (Port Vale, Gillingham) will be strong outfits and looking to get straight back to League One. And I have a hunch that Aldershot, with the momentum the club has, will be up there.

But as Hereford showed last season, any team is capable of mounting a challenge, so why not Macclesfield!