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OPPOSITION INSIGHT: Bury FC
Ahead of Swindon Town's latest relegation 'six-pointer', this time against Bury, Total Sport spoke to Mikael McKenzie of the Bury Times to get the skinny on the Shakers.
1) The last time Swindon and Bury met? the away side won 2-1, their fourth win a row, and sat third in the table. What on Earth has happened since?
"There have been a number of reason for the fall from second to 22nd in the league table, but most notably the Shakers have been really unfortunate with key players picking up injuries.
In December there were 14 first team players out injured at one point - that meant two youth team players had to make their debuts."
2) What was the catalyst to the run that has seen Bury win one of their last 20 matches?
"Defensive frailty, simply put. Only Championship Rotherham have conceded more goals than Bury in the entire football league. Along with only one win in their last 20, The Shakers have only kept one clean sheet in their past 32 games and another does not look like coming any time soon."
3) Where did the 5-1 demolition of Peterborough come from? And has that result lifted spirits at all?
"Results and performances, bar Shrewsbury last week, have improved since the turn of the year and a win had been long overdue. From a club record 16-game winless run, the Shakers went three unbeaten before the defeat to the Shrews.
"The result against Peterborough was mostly down to the finishing of James Vaughan, who today (Friday) was named League One player of the month for January.
"Although Bury are third from bottom in League One, Vaughan is the third top scorer in the league with 17 goals and has hit seven in his past four games."
4) What, if anything, has changed since the appoitment of Chris Brass in December?
"Organisation, togetherness and personnel are the key changes since Brass' arrival. The former head of football operations was backed by the chairman in January and brought in 10 new faces, including former Arsenal and Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant."
5) What is the Bury team news ahead of Saturday?
"Bury will be boosted by the return of winger Danny Mayor, although it is unclear if he will be fit enough to start the game. Midfielder Andrew Tutte is also back, but Brass still has a slight injury problem with Nathan Cameron, Craig Jones, Kean Bryan, Zeli Ismail and Tom Walker out injured."
6) What sort of match are you expecting at Gigg Lane?
"I am expecting a very open, expansive game full of goals, as has been the script for many of Bury's recent home games.
"At Gigg Lane Bury will look to start on the front foot and are expected to play an attacking line up - this game is a must win.
"The Shakers are the fourth highest scorers in the league and not many defences are able to keep them at bay, they are bound to score goals.
"However, at the back they struggle which makes for an entertaining clash for the neutral, at least."
7) Score prediction?
"Bury 3, Swindon 2."
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