Bury boss David Flitcroft has said the club’s fine start to the season is a burden as his side look to rectify their recent troubles in the FA Cup second round against Luton Town on Saturday.
The Shakers lost only once in the first nine games of the League Two season, away at Cheltenham Town on the opening day, a run that saw them touted as promotion candidates.
But having lost their last three league games to drop out of the play-off places, as well as surrendering their unbeaten home record to sit seven points behind tomorrow’s visitors Luton, Flitcroft feels their form is now suffering because of this.
“The pressure’s been created by the expectation. Everyone’s tense and the players are feeling it,” said the manager, whose side are looking to reach the potentially lucrative third round – where Premier League giants enter the draw – for the first time since 2007/08 when they played Norwich City.
“I’ll be demanding the same high standards as normal and it’s up to the lads to reach them.
“We’re not the finished article – that’s quite clear.”
The last time Bury played Luton Pelly Ruddock’s injury-time equaliser snatched a point for the Hatters and cancelled out Danny Rose’s goal in the August league encounter at Kenilworth Road.
And recent signing Robert Milsom, who made his debut against Dagenham & Redbridge, thinks the players need to restore their style from earlier in the term.
“I think maybe we need to go back to basics and play like we were at the start of the season – obviously it was working,” said the Rotherham loanee.
“There are some very good players here – it’s a great team for this level and we should be winning games comfortably.”
Main image courtesy of Bury FC via YouTube, with thanks.
