Bury came out triumphant after a 3-0 victory over Squires Gate, Manager Dave McNabb gave us his thoughts on the game.
Dave McNabb: “Yeah, I think so. I thought we kept the ball really well, looked a little bit more like us today in terms of some of the patterns of play and a little bit better in possession. A bit disappointing we maybe didn’t take one or two of the chances, particularly first half, but second half I thought we just turned the screw a little bit more and we just kept them penned in. It was, like you said, a really professional performance, quite comfortable. Could have been a little bit more, but we’ll take the 3-0 and we’ll move on for next week.”
Dave then spoke about how important it is to keep the defence tight knit in this part of the season, he said “t’s been massive. I think obviously if you look back through the season, the issue or some of the challenges we’ve had have never been around scoring goals. I think we’ve scored 121 league goals and 145, 150 whatever goals in total, so it’s not putting the ball in the back of the net that’s been the problem, largely. Although the last few weeks we haven’t looked as good in front of goal, but the six clean sheets is massive. You’ve got to build on defensive performances, and I think they don’t just come from the back line, the goalkeeper, they come from all over the pitch. I think our pressing today was much better, still not perfect, still not quite right, but we start from the front.”
He then spoke about where he sees improvement would be needed, with him saying “I think we’ve got to improve all over. Obviously, the standards that me and the staff drive and the standards that the players drive themselves on, I don’t think we got out of third gear today. I thought we showed some really good spells and some spells where we were a little bit sloppy and turned the ball over too many times, but next week it’s going to be an unbelievably tough game. Padiham are absolutely flying at the minute, I think they’re fourth, depending on the results today. Yeah, really good side, we played really well against them early in the season and beat them at their place, but I think they’re a much better side now than what they were, so it’s going to be a tough game and we’ve got to make sure we prepare right for it and go into it and hopefully try and get the three points.”
Dave then provided an update on Rustam Stepans after the Latvian was subbed off with an injury after assisting Bryan Ly with the 3rd, he said “Yeah, it was just a slight strain. I think he should probably be alright for next week, so we just need to try and get some tests done tomorrow. Obviously, it’s difficult now just after the game, but yeah, he’s obviously gutted a little bit, but we’ll do everything we can to get him back.”
Dave then spoke about whether he’s keeping an eye on Lower Brecks results as they play later tonight with him saying “Yeah, I mean obviously we’ll watch the games, it’s one of those things I think obviously when you get to the stage and see, we’ll look around at all the results, but it’s just more around seeing what’s going on. I think we know what we need to do and that’s the most important thing, that’s been the message and it’s been consistent to the players as soon as we’ve got our noses in front. We said probably back end October time that we need to be in with the pack, we need to be within three points, up or down, going into the new year and then when we start playing one game a week you’ll see us play better stuff, more improved both defensively and going forward and I think we’ve done that, we’ve got our noses in front and then it just becomes about us then. So we just need to take it one game at a time, I know it’s a cliche, but the only important game we’ve got now is next week against Padiham.”