The Opposition View: Bury

Last updated : 16 October 2014 By Jim Bonner

How happy are you with Bury's start to the season?

Well, it’s still very early in the season and we’re currently 3rd after toying with top spot a couple of times too. I don’t think anyone can have too many complaints with our position so far.

What are the main reasons for the improvement in this Bury team after last season?

The Chairman wants promotion, he wants us in the Championship, it’s an ambitious task and I for one certainly think it’ll take longer than five years to get there, if we get there at all.

We've bought in a mixture of experienced and young players, Lowe, Adams, Jalal, Etuhu have all been promoted before or been at a higher level whereas we've also brought in Danny Mayor and Danny Rose who are ones for the future and we hope to sell for large sell on fees sometime down the line. 

What are your team's biggest strengths? 

Attacking, we’re a lot better at breaking teams down and I’d always back us to score at least once every game. This tends to leave us a little vulnerable at the back which so far has affected us away from home.

We do like to pass it about too, which sometimes we over do, but I suppose you’re going to get that with lower league players.

What are the main weaknesses in your team that could be exploited by Pompey?

I've only watched us at home this season and the main weakness I can see is at times we tend to start off slow. If you can get at us in the first fifteen minutes then I’d say you could take the lead.  

Other than that without sounding arrogant there isn't anything that stands out apart from the opposition playing well.

Are there any players in the Portsmouth squad which give you cause for concern?

Looking at your attacking players, Agyemang, Taylor, Craddock, Westcarr are all players that can hurt you and you also have Hollands, Wallace and Fogden who are all great midfielders too.

I think Pompey have a decent squad and should be challenging for the top 7 this season. I’m not sure on Awford but he seems to be doing a lot better than Appleton and Barker. 

Kelvin Etuhu once played for Pompey. What do Shakers fans think of him?

Mixed views at the moment, on his day he’s a great midfielder that can break up play and help start up attacks but teams have started to close him down a lot quicker which has resulted in him making more mistakes. He’s decent for this league. Maybe he’d look better in a higher league?  

What did you make of that now infamous 4-4 draw at Gigg Lane last season? 

I was just glad that it didn't make a difference, we were so comfortable and to be 4-1/2 up with ten minutes to go and come away with a 4-4 draw was annoying. Pompey showed great spirit though and in the end deserved the draw.  

Given that Pompey have only scored twice away from home in the league all season you must be confident of winning on Saturday?

We've only lost once at home this season and that was to Cheltenham on the first day of the season where we deserved at the very least a draw in my opinion.

However, this is League Two and you could very easily put in a great performance and claim the three points. It’s all about whom turns up on the day and we our away performances being a bit sketchy at the moment I would hope we come away with the three points to keep us in the top three.

Predict the outcome of the match. 

Tough but I’ll go with 2-1 Bury. Lowe and Nardiello for Bury and Hollands for Pompey.