Manager on the Bury game
United manager Greg Abbott spoke to us today about the Saturday game against Bury.
He said: “We’ve had a much better week and I think it goes without saying that results always make things feel better.
“Credit to the lads for the way they did things on Boxing Day because it was an important result for all of us. Having said that, they played with confidence at Shrewsbury and it was a case of making sure they took that into the Hartlepool game. If we do the same again against Bury then it will mean that the confidence really is flowing again.
“Bury have become a very hard team to beat since Kevin [Blackwell] took over. They are disciplined and organised and I know Kevin of old. He’ll be demanding a lot of his players and it looks like they have responded.
“They obviously want results for their own reasons and they won’t be happy with where they are in the table at all. Our job will be to match them all over the pitch, as we did against Hartlepool and Shrewsbury, and make sure it’s us causing the problems.
“We have a confident group of players anyway but the result on Wednesday has lifted them even further. The goals were important but I think the clean sheet was even more significant. The team has been hurting because of the goals conceded and they were determined to address it. They know this is just the start of it – we need more of the same – but they deserve a pat on the back for the way they showed so much determination and effort in what was a big game.
“I think I said on Wednesday that we can’t afford to rest on our laurels. The three points makes things look better but we can’t leave it there. We have to keep the work rate up and we have to make sure we’re picking up points through what is a very important period.
“We will continue to assess the lads who picked up injuries through today and tomorrow. The good thing is that the squad is in good shape and we are ready to push on. A win in this one could make things look even better and it will take us into the New Year in very good spirits.
“We spoke about the reaction of the fans on Wednesday but it is worth mentioning again. They were absolutely fantastic. There was a bit of banter about the fact we didn’t leave anyone up when we were defending a corner, but if that’s the only grumble from a game then we’ll be more than happy.
“They really got behind the lads and it was a good atmosphere, and it helps us to pay back just a little bit of what we owe them. We are still in debt to them, there is no doubt about that, but the lads want to show them all that they are together and that it’s a united dressing room. None of us want to be looking over our shoulders and it’s unity and performances like those from the last two games which will see us through.
"Kav [Graham Kavanagh] has been back with us for the first time in a few days today so he is fighting fit and ready to go again. He brings his own level of enthusiasm to things and it's good to see him around the place. We bat ideas back and forward off each other and he's as ready as anyone for the game on Saturday. It's another one for us all to look forward to."