New Shakers manager Kevin Blackwell spoke to the Manchester Evening News ahead of his side's League One game against Carlisle at Gigg Lane this evening, Blackwell saying Saturday's 2-2 draw at Stevenage was a good start for his reign:
“Given a bit more time and a bit more work, I am sure they will get better. There is plenty to build on, we have to start from somewhere and Saturday was a good start, but putting pressure on the players and setting targets is not right. I’ve learnt a lot about them and from what I saw, when we got the ball down and moved it quickly and sharply, we looked a good side.
“It’s about building that confidence now. At Stevenage, they've picked up the confidence a little bit more, and as we go on there will be certain targets set, but it's a slow process and there's plenty to work on. They are bottom of the table for a reason and their confidence is a little bit jaded, but that result and performance will bring it back a little bit.”
In team news for the Shakers this evening they will definitely be missing two players through knee injuries, with firstly full-back Phil Picken out for the season after suffering severe cruciate ligament damage in a 2-1 home defeat against Preston in early September. While secondly striker Lenell John-Lewis had to be substituted in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at the Lamex Stadium against Stevenage after his leg buckled as he attempted to get back up from a challenge with Jon Ashton, the extent of the Shakers’ forward’s injury not yet known. New boss Blackwell finally having doubts over the participation of winger Craig Jones, with the winger missing Bury’s last two games with a hamstring strain.
The referee for tonight’s match is Mark Brown from Hull and he will be assisted down the lines by Anthony Tankard from Sheffield and Andy Scregg from Liverpool. Meanwhile the fourth official is Karl Evans from Wigan.