Bury won 2-0 in a tightly fought game against Barnoldswick Town, Manager Dave McNabb spoke to the club to give us his thoughts on the game.
Dave McNabb: “Obviously really pleased to get the three points and another win. I think obviously the run’s been really good and the lads, massive credit to the lads. To start with the negatives, I think I was a little bit disappointed. We could have been more clinical. First half, we missed two one-on-ones, we had another good chance off a corner. Probably could have gone in, so it’s a 3-0 up, 4-0 up and you think it’s about then seeing the game through and being a bit more professional. We didn’t control the game enough, both in and out of possession first half. I think that was probably from the point we scored the goal we stopped because I thought we started really well. But I think some of that credit’s got to go to Barnoldswick. They played some really good stuff. They’ve got some very good technical players, they’re big, strong, they’re powerful. Didn’t create an awful lot, I know they’ve had a couple of chances from set-pieces, but the build-up plays and the way they move the ball causes problems at times. Overall, it’s about getting three points on the board and we more than deserve that but just need to make sure our standards are high.”
He then spoke about Aaron Chalmers absence from today’s squad with him saying “He’s got a bit of a pull on his hamstring, just a low grade, but he felt it on Saturday and then he came Tuesday and had to stop. He couldn’t train Thursday, and he’s probably touch and go for next week. He’s got an outside chance, but I doubt he’ll be available for next week, but we’ll see.”
Dave then spoke about his team achieving 3 clean sheets on the bounce with him saying “Yes, I think defensively I agree with the angle of what you’re saying. I think defensively we haven’t been good enough at times this season, 100 per cent. Clean sheets few and far between, I think it was our 14th in the league, highest in the league 15. It was not that bad. I think the problem’s been in games where we’ve conceded too many. I think obviously when we shut shop up and being professional with it and moved across the pitch well, I think like we did today, we’ve looked really good. I think at times we’ve capitulated and conceded too many goals. I think three on the bounce is a massive kudos to the players and the way they’re now starting to lift some strokes. We’ve done quite a lot of defensive work over the last few weeks in training and starting to pay dividends.”
He then spoke about his constant adaptations to the team’s structure throughout the season with him saying “Versatility is massive. Obviously, people will talk about tactics and formations, and it is important, but what we like to say to the players is the formation that we put up is basically the starting position on the pitch when you kick off. The formation can change. I think what’s really important is the way that we play, and our identity doesn’t. Regardless of whether we’re playing a back three, a back four, we’ve got five in midfield, four in midfield, whatever it is, we should be able to switch between multiple shapes. We’ve worked on multiple shapes, we’ve worked on three or four different formations this year, so the players should be able to adapt and fit into those formations and regardless, the way we play should always look the same. Compact, solid to break down and when we get the ball, nice and expansive, playing through the lines and playing forward and trying to be creative.”
He then also gave praise to Josh Gregory who picked up Bury’s February player of the month and also provided us an update on his issue that saw him leave the pitch, he said “Yes, I was really pleased for him when I saw the results and it was a landslide in the votes as well, which is brilliant for him because, again, he’s had a tough year, he had a tough couple of years. He’s come in, that’s the Josh we knew we were signing at the start of the season. Obviously, the fans haven’t seen enough of that because of the injuries, but he’s made a massive difference. He’s made us look so much more solid, more competitive, so it was made up he got that award. It wasn’t anything bad today, he’s just not felt great coming into the game and obviously on a hot day, he was just feeling a bit tired and a bit dehydrated. So, yes, no concerns for him for next week.”
Dave then gave special praise to the fans for their support during todays match “They were phenomenal again. They started the singing even earlier today; I think we were only halfway through the warm-up, and they’d already started. It makes a massive difference; it makes a huge difference both for our players and for the opposition as well. It was really positive throughout today, which is great. We had a couple of tough five-minute spells in the game and the fans noticed that and started. It works both ways, you’ve got to get them up and make them enjoy it. I think the noise and the volume that they can bring is just massive to the players. The message is to keep it open. We’ve got two tough away games now, so come on your numbers, bring that drum, keep your noise up and hopefully we can pick up some more points.”
To finish the interview Dave looked ahead to next weeks clash vs FC St Helens with him saying “It’s going to be a really tough game. I went and watched them last Friday when they played Ramy. I thought they were excellent. I thought they were a little bit unlucky to be 2-0 down. I thought Ramy were really good in the transitions, and they took the two chances well. Then St Helens were outstanding after that. I think they’ve been beat well today by a lower break, but I think Darren was there, so I believe that up until the second goal, they were very much in the game. We know it’s going to be a tough game. They’re obviously going to want to try and pick up those three points. Very competitive, really good group of lads in terms of the team spirit they’ve got. We’re going to have to be at our best to get anything from the game.”