Rivals Review - Bury

Positon: 14th

Record: P41, W13, D10, L18

Recent form (latest to earliest): W,D,L,W,W,W

Manager: Alan Knill took charge at Gigg Lane after the departure of sacked Chris Casper. The former Shakers player made 144 appearences for the club between 1989 and 1993. Knill earned one cap for Wales and built a career as a tough tackling centre-back. Management has yet to have brought the best from Knill, in charge of Rotherham for part of last season as they were

Knill

relegated from League One. He ended his spell with the Millers in March 2007 bottom of the division and without a win in 14 games. But now in charge at Bury, Knill has so far proved his credentials guiding the Shakers away from relegation trouble with just one defeat in their last seven outings. Knill's ambition is exciting the fans with talk of a push for the play-offs next season the word on the terrace.

Top scorer: Andy Bishop head the goal scoring charts with 17 league goals to his name. The tall front man is the perfect fit to League Two and his record over the last two seasons is proof of that. The 25-year-old already boasts 43 goals for the club since signing for the club last summer. He is superb in the air and when in behind the defence has a lethal shot. His goal scoring exploits helped to haul the Greater Manchester side away from the drop.

Strengths: Bury's home form of late has been excellent. The Shakers have taken a maximum nine points from their last three home games and have

Sodje

begun to build Gigg Lane into a fortress based on recent displays. Knill has worked tirelessly on shoring at the defence and with three straight clean sheets it is certainly paying divedends. Efe Sodje has been a revelation at the back since joining from Gillingham earlier in the calendar year, whilre Ben Futcher is ever improving. With the ability to score goals, thinsg are looking bright.

Weaknesses: Mentality as outlined by former Notts County man Glynn Hurst in the local press last week. Hurst said Bury must shrug off their perception of a 'small club' if they are to achieve more next term than just survive. The Shakers have shown glimpses of making a play-off bid in each of the last two seasons with bright spells before Christmas, but have faded terribly. Knill will want to reinforce his squad over the summer and bring more confidence to the squad, so they can push on into the higher reaches of the League Two table.

Best win: 4-1 v Brentford, Griffin Park. 04 March 2008

Worst defeat: 5-1 v MK Dons, Gigg Lane. 02 February 2008

In form player: Nicky Adams has been in a rich vain of form in recent weeks with his tireless efforts up front. With three goals in his last seven games including a stunning strike at Shrewsbury last week, his contribution if 12 goals this season is a fine effort behind natural finisher Bishop. With Hurst also itching to get in on the goals, going forward is easily where the Shakers are most dangerous. Never gives up and will run through walls for the team. Links up play nicely. Perfect foil for Bishop.

Bishop

Player of the season: You cannot look any further than Bishop up top. His goals have been a saviour to Bury's season. He is a play-off chasing quality striker. NCM vowed he would fire Bury away from trouble in a feature 'the candidates' in February. He has proved his value entirely with a flurry of goals since Christmas.

End of season history: The Shakers have ended both of the last two seasons in poor form. Just two wins from their final seven games last year and only a single win in the same games in 2005/06 shows they are not strong finihsers. A stumble at Gigg Lane on Saturday would be greatly appreciated from the Magpies who will be hoping to end the campaign with a bang.