Three R's ready to be top of class - Bury Times 11 August 1995:
BURY BOSS Mike Walsh is ready to put his trust in the Three R'S - Reid, Rigby and Richardson - taking the Shakers to the top of the class. The midfield trio have all been struggling with what the manager describes as 'hard ground injuries' but despite the fact that none of the trio have trained this week, they are all expected to play some part in tomorrow's opener at Northampton. Two who will not be on view at Sixfields are strikers ors Kevin Hulme and John Paskin The former has a long standing calf injury while the latter limped out of the friendly at Bamber Bridge on Tuesday with a recurrence of a thigh strain Bury won that match 1 0 with a goal from David Johnson who is now suspended for two games. Better news concerns the fitness of left back Stuart Bimson who proved he is ready with an hour long outing in the same game He is expected to take his place in an unchanged defence alongside Andy Woodward Chris Lucketti and Michael Jackson. David Pugh will again lead the side from the left side of a midfield where Reid s will to-win and cajoling of team-mates is also expected to play a big part If they are fit enough Rigby and Richardson are likely to make up the rest of a four man engine room. The absence of Paskin, Hulme and Johnson leaves a gap in the pool of strikers but Walsh still has plenty of options with Phil Slant, Jimmy Mulligan, Mark Carter and Dave Lancaster all vying for the two slots. Stant would seem almost a certainty and with Carter suffering from a septic toe preference could be for Mulligan. For the first time, this season clubs are allowed to name and use three out field substitutes rather than include a goalkeeper. Walsh seems likely to accept the gamble. The versatile lan Hughes and Lenny Johnrose are both in the squad and could fit into a number of positions should late fitness tests rule anyone out. It has been a largely downbeat pre season for the Shakers but Walsh insists they are primed and ready to go. 'Things haven't gone as well as last year but that isn't always such a bad thing, he said "We are full of expectation and optimism although I have been disappointed that one or two players haven't used the fnendlies to stake a firm claim for a place. No one who is selected for tomorrow s match should be complacent I reckon there are still five places in the team which are effectively up for grabs We will not accept anything less than total commitment and competitiveness '