By theimps.tk
August 7 2009

Bury FC are the fifth longest serving side in League Two (after Rochdale, Darlo, City and Macc) and have spent the vast majority of their time in the division battling relegation, but can they now finish the job they screwed up last season?

If there's one thing I hate about this division, it's teams that are rubbish for years, barely surviving relegation on various occasions, then getting promoted after one season. Teams such as Bristol Rovers and Southend managed it and Bury came close again next season, so you can imagine my delight last season when Bury didn't go up. Now, don't get me wrong, I didn't laugh my head off as I have nothing against Bury in most senses, but if a team goes up then it should be after playing well for a considerable time not a season that could be considered a fluke by their usual standards.

They started the season well, not losing until a 1-0 defeat at Exeter on October 11^th, before then they had won 3-1 twice, as well as two 2-1 victories. Results went a bit wobbly after that until a 4-0 victory over Gillingham helped re-energise their season and a run of six wins in eight games just after New Year made it appear as though they might even win the League. Bury ended the season on a run of twelve games unbeaten, but only won five of those, even just turning one of those into a win would have seen them win automatic promotion.

Bury entered the Playoffs and took the lead in the first leg thanks to a calamitous own goal from Daniels with 9 minutes to go. Bury were two minutes away from the Final before a late goal brought Shrewsbury back level in the game. The match went to penalties and Bury were a penalty behind going into their final kick. It fell to their talisman Bishop, only for Daniels to save the ball and send Shrewsbury through instead.

So how do you recover from a season where you were mere minutes from automatic promotion and moments from the Playoff final, only to fail both times? When the key was keeping hold of Andy Bishop, he is the only regular goalscorer that Bury have and keeping him is imperative to their promotion hopes, although they have brought in both Danny Carlton and Ryan Lowe, both reasonable strikers themselves.

They have a pretty solid defensive pairing in Futcher and Sodje and generally have a strong back-bone at the club and they generally have a strong all-around squad. The only problem being that they are a bit fragile at time, such as going 3-0 up to Aldershot, only to then concede three in a ten minute period.

If Bury can cut that vulnerability out of their game then they should be fine, but then again that vulnerability does make them more exciting to watch. They are usually one of the most boring teams in the division and the reason City haven't beaten them in nearly five years is because they often play with boring, time-wasting tactics. Whether it was Graham Barrow, Chris "Mr Ego" Casper or now Alan Knill, their tactics never seem to change.

However, I feel that Bury are finally on a trail that will lead them to automatic promotion. It was unlucky to miss out by mere minutes twice last season. Granted, they're a bit boring but plenty of sides have won promotion being boring, Cheltenham for example.

3rd : Unlucky and boring, it's Bury

Discussion started by theimps.tk (IP Logged), 07/08/2009 01:55

theimps.tk
07/08/2009 01:55

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davidimp
07/08/2009 16:49

A very good forward line even if Bishop is going to miss the start of the season not quite so sure about there backline though. Futcher and Sodje arent the quickest and that other who got involved with Elding is a nutter to ( Bennett was it?)
Sure they will do well.

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I Blame Paul Mayo
07/08/2009 17:13

they look pretty good everywhere, bar wings. futcher and sodje lack pace so they could struggle vs quicker forward lines.

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