Bury (A) League One, 16 Jan, 3pm

[Welsh_Saddler]

A trip to the home of the Black Pudding on Saturday to take on the Shakers at Gigg Lane. Those of us of advanced years have fond memories of Bury in the 1960/61 season when they went up to Division II as Champions and we accompanied them as runners-up. (Our home form that season was astounding....Played 23, Won 19, Drew 4, Lost 0 - Goal tally 62-20. :shock: )

This season Bury started off very brightly and were top of the play-off group at the beginning of October, having taken 3 points from us at the Banks's a month previously in a 0-1 win. Since then, although the wheels haven't entirely come off they've certainly been wobbling - as their current form (League One games only) shows:

24 Nov Scunthorpe United (H), Lost 1-2
28 Nov Millwall (A) Lost 1-0
12 Dec Chesterfield (H) Won 1-0
18 Dec Southend United (A) Lost 4-1
28 Dec Port Vale (A) Lost 1-0
2 Jan Fleetwood Town (A) Lost 2-0

Leading scorer Leon Clarke has 13 goals to his name so far, and Tom Pope is the next highest with 6. Bury's faltering form has seen them slip from the play-off zone to their current standing of 14th place on 33 points. They may also have one eye on their F.A. Cup progress - if they can get a result at Bradford in their replay game they have a home tie with Hull City to look forward to, and income is just as important to Bury as it is to ourselves, as Bury have never drawn large attendances being surrounded by larger clubs (again, just like ourselves).

Sean O'Driscoll should have a full squad from which to make his selection, apart from Isaiah Osbourne. Jason Demetriou showed in his brief appearance against Coventry that his influence on the game is significant, if fit. Good to see Tom Bradshaw back on the goal trail too, and I expect a revenge 3 points for us here - say 0-2, goals from Bradshaw and Lalkovic.

We could well be back at the top of the table come 5pm on Saturday, as Coventry City face Burton Albion. Here's hoping!!! :D

[coop63]

Firstly we can't underestimate anyone in this division - look what happened against the dale! :oops:

That said, Bury do seem to be struggling in a rough patch at the minute but with Clarke and Pope they have got real threats.... And they did a job on us at our place...

However, I think we,ll have the measure Orem on Saturday so I'm going for a 1-2 win for the Reds...

BUT - that bloke Pope loves scoring against us (I'm gonna forget that thought for now...)

About 4150 there with 388 saddlers

UTS

[Guest]

You're not wrong about Pope. He will score. Hopefully, it will be 1-2, though. Milan and Tom.

[scott_powell]

6-0 to the saddlers. Etheridge with all 6

[CooperTheSaddler]

Me + 3 for this 1. Looking forward to it as it's another ground I'm yet to visit, 2-0 to the Saddlers is my prediction.

PS I was reliably informed that this was an away game :wink:

[Welsh_Saddler]

Me + 3 for this 1. Looking forward to it as it's another ground I'm yet to visit, 2-0 to the Saddlers is my prediction.

PS I was reliably informed that this was an away game :wink:

:oops:

[Mazza01]

Another tough Fixture where a win really is needed if we are to keep with the pace at the top.

I fully expect Cov to beat Burton and Doncaster to provide the Gills with a tough fixture. Win this and we could be sitting pretty.

UTS

[SoccerHQ]

Is Leon Clark back for this or still on compassionate leave?

Think they have a few injuries as they gave debuts to a couple of kids last game but that was a few weeks ago now.

Think it will be another 1-1.

[gerryhatrick]

Is Leon Clark back for this or still on compassionate leave?

Think they have a few injuries as they gave debuts to a couple of kids last game but that was a few weeks ago now.

Think it will be another 1-1.

Clarke has started both matches, since his Father's demise.

[CCFC721]

Bury 2-0 Walsall

[funk_hits_the_fan]

Bury 1 Walsall 2

4095 - 404 Walsall

[Tom_1992]

Bury 2-0 Walsall

8)

[Tom_1992]

If it's on, this is going to be a really tough game.

Can't imagine the pitch is going to be a carpet, and we'll probbaly have some tired league after the last two games.

I'd like to see us go back to a conventional 4-2-3-1 for this one, with Morris and Lalkovic on the wings with Demetriou in for Kinsella if he's fit.

I would probably take a point here and focus on winning our home games, starting with Blackpool on Saturday. A win tomorrow, and I don't think we could have hoped for a better 7 days...

[BathSaddler]

I think we'll struggle and would happily take a point. I hope the game is on though because at least we have a week to recover before we go again at home to Blackpool, rather than another away midweek game to fit in later.

Regardless of whether anyone leaves, we need a 'fresh face' or two. Another striker is an absolute must because Murphy is not yet ready and Bakayoko is obviously not up to it [Lalkovic and Cook are not strikers, and I think SO'D knows it].

Someone like McAlinden would be reasonable back up for Bradshaw, but would not be a suitable replacement if he does go.

Anyway, I'll settle for my favourite prediction score so far this season, 1-1, with Bradshaw for us, in front of 3,491, including 404 Saddlers.

[Barren Flak]

We got properly done at home to these bruisers. Hopefully means we will be up for some revenge.

Need to win this one to maintain the size of Tuesday's point. I expect no less.

David Flitcroft to empty his pockets at post match press conference in further effort to prove their playing budget is less than that of Ebbsfleet United reserves.

[Magic Man Fan]

We owe them one after the game at The Bonks'ss's'sss.

Do em Saddlers, and hopefully Burton will beat Coventry. I'm not bothered about top spot for now, just maintain the gap between us and those that will continue to strengthen like Coventry and Wigan.

[windowman]

We owe them one after the game at The Bonks'ss's'sss.

Do em Saddlers, and hopefully Burton will beat Coventry. I'm not bothered about top spot for now, just maintain the gap between us and those that will continue to strengthen like Coventry and Wigan.

true,

[PT]

It'll be on. It's nippy but it ain't arctic. Worlds gone saft.

We'll win, but it will be hard fought. A Millwall-Esque 1-0. Forde. 431 of us.

[Wragbyred]

Bury 2-0 Walsall

Back again I see, you seem to have "issues" with us?

[SaddlerCrewe]

Bury 2-0 Walsall

Back again I see, you seem to have "issues" with us?

He'll probably log back in under his other username and agree with himself shortly.
He certainly has "issues"

[chestersaddler]

Depends which team turns up. If it is Berry, I reckon we will win 2-0. If it is Burry I will be happy with a 1–1 draw.

[SoccerHQ]

Etheridge

Demetriou
O'Connor
Downing
Taylor

Forde
Chambers
Mantom
Henry

Sawyers

Bradshaw

Cook, Morris, Lako on the bench.

Bury got Pope on the bench.

[saddla]

George Evans in the away end with the fans!

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CY2WqbSW8AA_oTW.jpg

[SoccerHQ]

George Evans in the away end with the fans!

Really......... :shock:

Are any of you bravely going to ask him what has happened.....

[gerryhatrick]

George Evans in the away end with the fans!

Ask him what he knows.

[BathSaddler]

George Evans in the away end with the fans!

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CY2WqbSW8AA_oTW.jpg

A nice touch. Well done George.

[SoccerHQ]

Every other 3pm kick off apart from this one. :?

[Welsh_Saddler]

Early goal in Lancashire, but not where you might expect.... Blackpool 1 Scunthorpe Utd 0 (1 min)
Another in Lancashire... Wigan Athletic 1 Chesterfield 0 (5 min)

Doncaster Rovers 0 Gillingham 1 :(

Blackpool 2 Scunthorpe Utd 0

[SoccerHQ]

Gills 1 up at Donny...that lot just won't go away despite blowing 2 nil leads to promotion rivals.

[chunkster]

is it my laptop? or is sad world not working again? :x