Saturday, 19 December 1998
Match Preview - Today's "Sun":
Neil Warnock cannot bolster Bury's squad until he offloads some players. Warnock has been linked with £300,000 West Brom striker Mick Evans, but admitted: "I haven't got £3, let alone £300,000. I need to shift a few players." Steve Redmond will replace Chris Swailes today if he shrugs off an Achilles Injury. Injury free Vale have been told to forget their dream FA Cup tie against Liverpool on January 2. "Our bread and butter is the league. That must be our priority." Key Man: Chris Lucketti. Last Season: 1-1

Match Preview - Teamtalk Web Site:
Port Vale's Jan Jansson could be back in action on Saturday for the first time in sixteen weeks. The stylish Swede, absent since August with a knee problem, is set to figure in the starting line-up as Vale go looking for their first win in ten games against Bury. Jansson, dubbed an inspirational figure following his part in last season's relegation heroics, could be just the boost the side needs to help claw its way out of the bottom three. His place in the first eleven will almost certainly be secured if crocked midfielders Rogier Koordes and Stewart Talbot are passed unfit - which is looking likely at this stage. Vale boss John Rudge also has a rich striker glut to choose from for this must-win match against The Shakers. Regular starters Martin Foyle and Peter Beadle are now fighting for places with Tony Naylor and Christopher Horaville - who both came through Wednesday's reserve team victory against Coventry City. At the back, Rudge is likely to keep faith with Kevin Pilkington in goal and stick with full-backs Allen Tankard plus Michael Walsh. Both Tankard and Walsh made their first team comebacks last weekend against Sunderland following protracted spells out with injury. Vale are hoping to boost the gate by introducing a cut-price scheme which allows an adult to be accompanied by up to three under-16's who will be charged just £1 apiece. A minute's silence will also be held just prior to kick-off to mark the death of club president Jack Burgess who passed away earlier this week.

Friday, 18 December 1998
Dean returns to action - Nationwide web site:
 Transfer listed Dean Barrick is expected to step back into Bury's first team at Port Vale. He has been pencilled in to fill the gap in defence created by a one-match suspension for Chris Swailes. Barrick and striker Tony Ellis have both been placed on the transfer list as manager Neil Warnock seeks to prune his squad and bring in fresh faces.

Burnley track Shakers pair - Bolton Evening News:
STAN Ternent wants Gigg Lane favourites Lennie Johnrose and Nick Daws to follow him to Burnley. Ternent, who quit the Shakers in the summer and took his assistant Sam Ellis with him, is understood to have informed his former club of his interest and his valuation of the pair, £850,000. But Bury chairman Terry Robinson says he has received no official approach and manager Neil Warnock has said the players are not for sale. "There have been ongoing discussions with two employees who have recently left us," Mr Robinson said, "but I am not prepared to speculate. "We are aware of an interest in a lot of our players but there is no movement at this moment in time."  Earlier in the season Ternent returned to Gigg Lane to sign Peter Swan and Gordon Armstrong. Johnrose (29) and Daws (28) signed new three-year contracts in April and are playing key roles in Bury's bid to stay clear of the Division One relegation zone. Meanwhile, Bury say they have had inquiries for striker Tony Ellis and defender Dean Barrick, who were transfer-listed this week as Warnock looks to raise funds for new signings of his own. But they have received no firm bids for either player. Barrick is in line for a recall at Port Vale tomorrow in place of centre-back Chris Swailes, who is suspended. Warnock, who has denied reports linking him with West Brom striker Micky Evans, says he has fitness doubts for the Vale trip but is keeping identities and details under wraps.

Stan's back for top players - Bury Times:
FORMER Shakers boss Stan Ternent is bidding to take midfield duo Lennie Johnrose and Nick Daws to Burnley. The Clarets manager, and assistant Sam Ellis, are believed to have made an £850,000 offer for the pair this week in a move which could tear the backbone out of the Bury side. Chairman Terry Robinson confirmed he had spoken with 'two former employees' about their interest. Manager Neil Warnock, meanwhile, insisted the stars were not for sale. "There have been on-going discussions with two employees who have recently left us, but I am not prepared to speculate," said Robinson. "If I have a bid for a player, it is either by fax - with a definite amount stated - or verbally. I have received neither. There has been no official bid. "We are aware of an interest in a lot of our players, but there is no movement at this moment in time. "We are all focused on getting points towards our league campaign." Both Johnrose, aged 29, and Daws, 28, signed new three-year contracts in April and would surely cost significantly more than the rumoured figure. Warnock has denied reports linking him with a £300,000 move for West Brom's Micky Evans. The out-of-favour striker, who previously played for the Bury boss at Plymouth, cost the Baggies £750,000 from Southampton a year ago. "Mick did come into my office after we had beaten West Brom recently, but the manager Denis Smith was in there as well, so it wasn't a tap-up job," said Warnock. "Firstly, we couldn't afford his wages; secondly, we couldn't afford his fee. I haven't got a clue where this story has come from. Needless to say, we aren't interested." The Shakers go into tomorrow's Division One clash at Port Vale (kick-off 3pm) without central defender Chris Swailes who is suspended. Transfer-listed Dean Barrick has been brought into the side in his place. A number of players are carrying niggling injuries, but Warnock was keeping tight-lipped as to their identities. "I don't want to give anything away but, rest assured, we will be ready for Port Vale," he said. "They are always hard at home but have had a lean time since selling Gareth Ainsworth, who was having a marvellous season. They have a habit of bouncing back when people write them off. We must make sure they don't start the winning habit against us." Vale are sitting third from bottom in the table, seven places below Bury whose confidence, according to Warnock, is sky high. "Apart from the Bolton debacle, I don't think we are playing badly at the moment," he added. "I said to the lads before the West Brom game, let's see if we can go through to February or March unbeaten. There is no reason why we can't. It is up to us to see how long we can maintain it. "We have to stop gifting goals. We have to be solid away from home and look to break. I will be looking for this in our next two away games, tomorrow and at Crewe on Boxing Day. I have not set the players any targets for these games. Our only target is 51 points." There have been no official bids for Barrick or Tony Ellis who were placed on the transfer list this week.

'Fairies' fight back with TV treble - Bury Times
FIRST half fairies; second half stunners. That was Neil Warnock's assessment of his side after Friday night's six goal thriller at Gigg Lane. And he wasn't far wrong. Following a totally inept opening half hour, in which the Shakers never once threatened to journey into attacking territory, the safe money was riding on a Sheffield United landslide. But a combination of good fortune and a half-time ear-bashing from the furious Bury boss produced a stunning fightback from the home side, whose determination and endeavour deserved more than a mere point. A forgettable first half offered little hope of much entertainment in the second, but, just as the lowly 5,002 crowd were beginning to lose heart, 10 minutes of magic turned the game on its head four times. With the scores locked at 1-1 but with the Blades enjoying the vast majority of possession and chances, the Shakers had the audacity to take a shock lead. While the ink was still drying on his new Bury contract, £40,000 capture Paul Williams celebrated his permanent move to Lancashire with his first goal for the club. "I don't score many, but to get one on my full debut was special," beamed the 29-year-old left back. "The manager encourages me to get forward, which I enjoy doing, and sometimes the ball will make its way to the back post for me." And that's exactly what happened in the 52nd minute when Nick Daws floated a cross into the six yard box from the right flank. It was just out of reach for the chasing Bury strikeforce, but Williams was lurking at the far post to fire home. Before the ecstatic Bury players had come back down to earth, the Blades were back on terms, Brazilian Marcelo beating Dean Kiely from a Vass Borbokis cross straight from the kick-off. Just as the Shakers had been guilty of a concentration lapse seconds earlier, Steve Bruce's side fell into the same trap themselves as the home side bounced back off the canvas to restore their lead inside a minute. This time it was another defender, Chris Swailes, who got his name on the scoresheet as Bury surged forward from the centre spot. Star man Daws was once again the provider, another measured cross finding its way to the feet of the central defender. Swailes, who misses this weekend's trip to Port Vale through suspension, saw his first shot blocked but made no mistake with the second, blasting it past Simon Tracey from 12 yards. Advantage restored, but for how long? Sadly for the Shakers, only eight minutes, as Marcelo scored his second equaliser of the half with a long range effort which bobbled awkwardly in front of Kiely before finding its way into the back of the net. Kiely kept his side in the hunt with a fine save from Wayne Quinn 11 minutes from time before, seven minutes later, playing his part in what was almost a late winner. As the Shakers attempted to score a fourth goal, something they have yet to achieve in the league this campaign, Kiely's heat-seeking goal kick found the head of substitute Andy Preece deep in enemy territory. He tipped the ball on for strike partner Adrian Littlejohn whose clever goalbound lob was cleared by centre back Lee Sandford. The Blades had taken the first half lead on 27 minutes when Curtis Woodhouse finished off neat work by Borbokis, albeit after a fortuitous ricochet off Swailes. Frenchman Laurent D'Jaffo, in one of his best performances for the Shakers, dragged his side back into the hunt with a scrappy and controversial equaliser 10 minutes later, bundling Chris Lucketti's cross over the line, colliding with keeper Tracey in the process. "I didn't think it was a goal. It was a very controversial decision which handed them a lifeline," said United boss Bruce. "If Bruce had scored the goal, he wouldn't be saying that!" replied opposite number Warnock.

Shakers duo listed - Bury Times:
 SHAKERS stars Tony Ellis and Dean Barrick have been placed on the transfer list. Bury manager Neil Warnock is trimming his squad in preparation for more signings and the out-of-favour duo are the first casualties. Ellis moved to Gigg Lane a year ago as part of a swap deal which took Ian Hughes to Blackpool. Barrick was one of Warnock's first signings in the summer but has struggled to command a first team place. More players could be on the way too. Midfielder Mark Patterson has joined Blackpool on a month's loan with a view to a permanent deal. Warnock said: "After signing Paul Williams last week I am still looking to bring a couple more players to the club, so it is the right time to try and prune the squad a bit. "With Andy Preece fit again and with Adrian Littlejohn, Laurent D'Jaffo and Lutel James in our squad, I am going to circulate Tony's name to see if there is any interest. He needs first team football. "Barrick is in the same boat and wants to play first team. I may give him a run-out in midfield while we are waiting for offers."

Clarets boss buries bid claim - Burnley Telegraph & Citizen:
STAN Ternent today rubbished a report that he had made a bid of £850,000 for Bury duo Nicky Daws and Lenny Johnrose. But the Burnley boss did admit to inquiring about the pair, both well known to him from his days as Bury boss. The report claimed that Ternent had offered Bury £850,000 for the two men who both recently signed three-year contracts. And Bury chairman Terry Robinson said: "We are aware of interest in a lot of players, but there is no movement at this moment in time. "There have been ongoing discussions with two former employees but I am not prepared to speculate." The reference to the two former employees clearly means Ternent and his assistant Sam Ellis. But the Burnley boss cleared the air today, saying: "It is not true to say we have made that bid. It's just speculation. I haven't got that kind of money. "I did make an inquiry because I would be interested in those two players. "But it was no different than the kind of phone call I make every day." If Bury did decide to sell Daws and Johnrose they would be expected to ask for significantly more than £850,000 for the pair, especially after getting them to sign new contracts. And, at the moment, Burnley do not appear to have anything like that sort of cash available in the transfer market.

Port Vale v Bury - Yahoo Web Site:
Jan Jansson could be back in action on Saturday for the first time in sixteen weeks. The stylish Swede, absent since August with a knee problem, is set to figure in the starting line-up as Vale go looking for their first win in ten games against Bury. Jansson, dubbed an inspirational figure following his part in last season's relegation heroics, could be just the boost the side needs to help claw its way out of the bottom three. His place in the first eleven will almost certainly be secured if crocked midfielders Rogier Koordes and Stewart Talbot are passed unfit - which is looking likely at this stage. Vale boss John Rudge also has a rich striker glut to choose from for this must-win match against The Shakers. Regular starters Martin Foyle and Peter Beadle are now fighting for places with Tony Naylor and Christophe Horaville - who both came through Wednesday's reserve team victory against Coventry City. At the back, Rudge is likely to keep faith with Kevin Pilkington in goal and stick with full-backs Allen Tankard plus Michael Walsh. Both Tankard and Walsh made their first team comebacks last weekend against Sunderland following protracted spells out with injury. Vale are hoping to boost the gate by introducing a cut-price scheme which allows an adult to be accompanied by up to three under-16's who will be charged just £1 apiece. A minute's silence will also be held just prior to kick-off to mark the death of club president Jack Burgess who passed away earlier this week.

This is Staffordshire Web Site:
Port Vale boss John Rudge was on the brink of finally ending his search for Gareth Ainsworth's replacement today but warned: ``There are some last-minute complications.'' Rudge has been searching high and low for a new face and has been linked with the likes of Glen Little, Paul Hall, Tony Rougier and Paul Hartley to name just a few in the past six weeks. He said today: ``I've agreed a fee with the club but I don't want to tempt fate by naming the player just yet until the thing is signed and sealed. `He wouldn't be available for us straight away anyway and there are one or two complications still to overcome. But I am close to sealing it.'' Rudge is also pursuing a Premiership midfielder on loan who could yet be signed in time for tomorrow's bottom-of-the-table cruncher with Bury. ``He's turned us down once but I'm going back today to try and resurrect the move if I can,'' said Rudge. Stewart Talbot looks set to miss out tomorrow after failing to train all week with an ankle injury, but after 16 weeks out Jan Jansson could figure in a Vale side which has lost seven of its last eight outings. Bury have yet to win away and Rudge added: ``This is a big game, an old fashioned six-pointer, and we are desperate to keep Bury down near the bottom whilst giving ourselves the lift we all want.'' Vale hope to boost tomorrow's gate by introducing a cut-price scheme which allows an adult to be accompanied by up to three under-16s who will be charged just £1 apiece. A minute's silence will be held before tomorrow's game in memory of club president Jack Burgess who died earlier this week at the age of 88.
PORT VALE: Pilkington, Walsh, Tankard, Bogie, Aspin, Barnett, Talbot, Barker, Beadle, Foyle, Naylor, Lyttle, Corden, Beesley, Jansson.
BURY: Kiely, Williams, Foster, Lucketti, Billy, Johnrose, Dawes, D'Jaffo, Littlejohn, Preece, Redmond, James, West, Smart.

Friday, 11 December 1998
Room For Improvement - Warnock - Sporting Life:
Bury boss Neil Warnock was not entirely happy with his team's performance in the 3-3 draw with Sheffield United. He admitted they "played like fairies" for the opening 35 minutes. They were unlucky, though, not to pick up all three points in the end, Warnock believes. He said: "I was desperate for the whistle to go for half-time. It was not Bury at all. "We showed a bit of naivety, Sunday League really. But I was delighted that we showed the pride and passion and played like I now we can for the last 60 minutes." Sheffield United manager Steve Bruce refused to be drawn on inevitable speculation linking him with a return to Manchester United after the game. Bruce is among the contenders to replace Brian Kidd as Alex Ferguson's number two at Old Trafford. But the Bramall Lane boss insisted tonight he is eyeing Premiership football only with the Blades. He said: "We had eight first-teamers out yet could have had the game won in the first half. "I am convinced we are good enough to challenge for promotion to the Premiership." Nonetheless, Bruce was not satisfied with tonight's outcome at Gigg Lane.,"I expect to win if we score three goals away from home. I was disappointed with our defending at times. "But what I expect and will demand is that we show a bit of character. To be fair to the boys they rolled up their sleeves, and I cannot ask for any more than that." Referee Paul Rejer's decision to allow Bury's first goal, meanwhile, was pinpointed as a turning point by Bruce. The Blades boss thought Laurent D'Jaffo impeded goalkeeper Simon Tracey before bundling the ball home and he said: "There was only one team in it, but the ref's decision gave them a little bit of a lifeline. "But he's only human - and we all make mistakes. I just hope the luck turns our way over Christmas.

Williams Faces Blades After Switch - Nationwide Web Site:
Paul Williams will play for Bury against the Sheffield United having completed a permanent move to Gigg Lane from Gillingham. The fullback has been on a month's loan to the Shakers and the Lancastrians have now splashed out £40,000 on him. Bury manager Neil Warnock is delighted with his latest acquisition and he said: "He's only had one bad game since he came here. That was against Bolton - but then everyone had a bad game that day." Warnock has doubts about midfielder Lennie Johnrose (calf) and Laurent D'Jaffo (hamstring) but both are expected to start; though Adrian Littlejohn (hamstring) has less than a 50-50 chance.

Williams Faces Blades After Switch - Sporting Life
Bury boss Neil Warnock is banking on new recruit Paul Williams adding to Sheffield United's striking problems by complementing the Shakers' miserly defence at Gigg Lane tonight. Warnock's side already boasts one of the best defensive records in the First Division, with only second-placed Ipswich having conceded fewer home goals. And with United short up front due to a combination of injuries, illness and sales, Warnock is confident Williams can only improve his side having completed a permanent move from Gillingham. The fullback has been on a month's loan and the Lancastrians have now splashed out £40,000 on him. Warnock said: "He's only had one bad game since he came here. That was against Bolton - but then everyone had a bad game that day." Bury have doubts about Lennie Johnrose (calf) and Laurent D'Jaffo (hamstring) but both are expected to start, though Adrian Littlejohn (hamstring) has less than a 50-50 chance. Blades manager Steve Bruce has warned his side they will have to fight for the right to play their own brand of football at Gigg Lane, where a win could lift the Sheffield outfit up from ninth to fourth in the table. Bruce has not made any plans to combat the Shakers' all-action style, which is designed to throw ball-playing opponents out of their stride. "It's a difficult place to go because they make life hard for you to get into your game, but we have to be good enough to make sure we can play our football," he said. Bruce welcomes Vass Borbokis and Nicky Marker back from suspension, but it is in attack where his main concerns lie despite bringing in 21-year-old Andy Campbell from Middlesbrough on a month's loan. Two weeks after letting Gareth Taylor join Manchester City, Bruce has seen Petr Katchouro ruled out until the new year with a kidney complaint while Graham Stuart and Paul Devlin are struggling with hamstring problems. To compound matters Dean Saunders has moved to Benfica and Marcelo is fighting to be fit after picking up a virus.

Shakers snap up Williams on permanent deal - Bury Times
BURY have secured the permanent signing of defender Paul Williams. The deal with Gillingham, which was tied up yesterday, will cost the Shakers £40,000, but manager Neil Warnock believes the player is worth every penny. "Paul has only had one bad game since he got here and that was against Bolton when everyone did," he said. "He only lives up the road in Stockport and gets on well with all the players here. We are delighted to have him on board." Williams will take his place in the starting line-up for tonight's home clash with Sheffield United. The two sides last met just four weeks ago when the Shakers were blown away by a second half Petr Katchouro hat trick, losing 3-1. Warnock, however, believes his side have learned from their mistakes. "We played our best 45 minutes away from home all season at Bramall Lane before conceding the three goals. I blame myself a bit, although we were a little naive with our defence. "Dean Saunders had a great game that day but he has now signed for Benfica, so that threat has gone." Belarus striker Katchouro may also be absent from Steve Bruce's starting line-up. The Belarus striker is doubtful for the match due to kidney trouble, but Warnock knows all about Sheffield's strength in depth. "They have so many talented players with a lot of movement. We have been working all week on how to close them down," he added. "We know all the pitfalls and know that we will be the underdogs, but we have to roll our sleeves up and have a go. "We are going into this game in a great mood. The whole club has been lifted by the trip to St Lucia and then the 2-0 win over West Brom last Saturday." Bury have three injury worries for tonight's game, kick-off 7.45pm. Lennie Johnrose (calf) and Laurent D'Jaffo (hamstring) are both expected to win their fitness battles, but new signing Adrian Littlejohn is a major worry. He has undergone extensive treatment all week on a hamstring pull at the bottom of his knee. Warnock has ruled out the immediate departure of Tony Rigby, who has been linked with a loan move to improve his match fitness. "There have been a few enquiries for Tony but he is off ill at the moment," he said. "It may happen in the future because he will need three or four games to get back to match fitness. He may well require something more difficult than reserve team level to achieve that."

Shakers wage bill tops £2million - Bury Times
BURY'S wage bill has broken the £2million mark for the first time in their history. Figures from the last financial year, which ended in June, show that winning promotion to the First Division has helped boost gate receipts from advertising and sponsorship along with catering and souvenir sales. But the club's wages for all 94 staff have also risen to a record high of £2.1million, a massive £700,000 increase on last year, even though the figure is probably still lower than any other club in Division One. The club recorded a £73,000 trading profit at the end of the financial year, compared to a £850,000 loss in the previous 12-month period. Only some shrewd, and sometimes controversial, dealings in the transfer market have moved the club to a more stable financial position. The sale of David Johnson to Ipswich a year ago for a record £1million was a major factor in balancing the books. "The only way we have been able to stabilise the accounts is by selling players. That is the delicate tightrope we have to walk," said chairman Terry Robinson. The accounts will be presented at the 101st annual meeting at Bury's Executive Club, Gigg Lane, on December 21.

'Fans' arrested in dawn raids - Bury Times
TEN Stockport County fans, suspected of being among a group of hooligans who rampaged through Bury in October, have been arrested in a major police operation. The "supporters" were identified from CCTV footage taken during the disturbances after the 1-1 draw between Shakers and County on October 17. Bury Police's football intelligence unit and their Stockport counterparts, assisted by the Tactical Aid Group, carried out dawn raids on the alleged offenders on Wednesday. Stockport Football Club and the Stockport Licensees helped with the identification of those arrested. Around 30 Stockport and Bury fans were involved in fighting outside the Old White Lion in Bolton Street, which saw a sandwich board thrown through the pub window causing customers to dive for cover. The Home Office as an example of major football-related disorder recently cited the incident. As the Bury Times went to press, none of those arrested this week had been charged, and further arrests are expected.

Match Preview - Bury v Sheffield United - Teamtalk Web Site
United go in front of the Sky TV cameras tonight when they face Bury at Gigg Lane. Steve Bruce is looking for an improved display from his players after successive defeats against Sunderland and Bristol City. Middlesborough's teenage striker Andy Campbell is expected to make his debut for the Blades after signing on a month's loan. He is likely to be named as Marcelo's strike partner following the departure of Dean Saunders. Bruce is also robbed of the services of Graham Stuart and Paul Devlin, who are injured. Vass Borbokis and Nicky Marker are in contention after missing last week's defeat at Bristol City through suspension. Borbokis seems certain to replace Jon O'Connor on the right-hand side of defence. Bruce has to decide whether to use three central defenders or stick with the 4-4-2 formation he used last weekend. Marker could be used as the third centre-back. Otherwise, he may be included at the expense of either Lee Sandford or Shaun Derry. United beat Bury 3-1 at Bramall Lane four weeks ago. Petr Katchouro, out with a kidney problem, scored a hat trick. Only a few years ago, the two clubs were three divisions apart but Bury start to night's clash as favourites. With William Hill, Bury are quoted at 11-8 for the win while the Blades are rated at 13-8. The price for a draw is 11-5.

United Turn To Youth? - The Official Sheffield United Web Site
STEVE BRUCE could well turn to youth to try and overcome the strikers crisis at Bramall Lane, ahead of Friday night's game against Bury. Speaking to the official website assistant manager, John Deehan revealed that new loan signing Andy Campbell and England U18 star Lee Morris could well lead the line tonight if the only remaining first team striker, Marcelo, fails to recover from his virus in time. "It is very unlikely Marcelo will be fit, so he will probably get a game and we'll then bring in the likes of Lee Morris, who's just come back from a long term injury but we are going to force him back into the fray sooner than we would have liked." Despite Marcelo being doubtful John is well pleased with the loan signing of nineteen year old striker, Andy Campbell, who he believes will make a big impact in the first division. "Andy Campbell is a rising star at Middlesbrough, there's no doubt he's got the quality to play in the Premiership, he's quick, pacey and very direct and I hope he will benefit from his time with us." Deehan also revealed that Bruce is trying to bring in additional recruits, either on a loan of permanent basis, but insisted non would be in time for the game tonight. "I think the manager has got a lot of plans, there are a lot of players he's targeted. But I think it would be very unlikely we would get one in for tonight's game."

Markers Battle Cry - The Official Sheffield United Web Site
Blades Skipper, Nicky Marker, has urged his beleaguered team to sort out their defensive worries ahead of Friday night's game away to Bury. United travel to Gigg Lane today desperate to halt a mini-slump, which has seen them lose their last two games, and in the process ship in six goals. Ironically they face a Bury side who under Neil Warnock have one of the best defensive records in the division and Marker knows patience and resilience will be needed in abundance if United are to take something from the game. "We found it hard especially the first half at Bramall Lane when we played them but we managed to come away with a 3-1 win, hopefully we can do the same, we know what they're all about and it's going to be very difficult." "We've got to go out and try and win the game, we've let the results slip the last two games and we've started to drop down the table." "The worrying thing for us is that we're conceding goals every game and it's scoring goals now that is the worry with the injuries we've got to the forwards and with Dean and Gareth going we'll struggle by the looks of it to have a centre forward for Friday." "A lot of it is bad defending and we can't get away from the fact we've let in sloppy goals and that's down to individuals as well as the team performance but that's something we've got to put right and hopefully get a clean sheet on Friday." Despite conceding 35 goals in just 22 league games Marker believes that the Blades, playing five at the back has little to do with the defensive problems of the season. "We played five at the back last season and there was no problem with it so I think it's easily to blame a system but with certain players we've got at the team we can't afford to play four at the back." "It's just a standard of play we've got, it suits our style of play and we just have to knuckle down and get on with it." Team news for Friday night is that United welcome back Vas Borbokis and Nicky Marker from suspension whilst loan signing Andy Campbell comes straight into the team for the game. Marcelo is suffering from a virus and it is still not certain whether he will be fit enough to play. Bury have doubts about Lennie Johnrose (calf) and Laurent D'Jaffo (hamstring) but both are expected to start, though Adrian Littlejohn (hamstring) has less than a 50-50 chance.
Thursday, 10 December 1998
Shakers To Land Williams - Nationwide Web Site
 Bury are poised to strengthen their defence with the signing of Paul Williams from Gillingham. The 29-year-old joined the Division Two promotion chasers on a free transfer from Plymouth in the summer, but is likely to cost Bury around £50,000. Bury have conceded just 24 goals in 22 first division games but boss Neil Warnock is keen to add some cover.

Bruce Deals With Striker Shortage - Sporting Life
Steve Bruce has told his Sheffield United side they will have to fight for the right to play their brand of football at Bury tomorrow night. The United boss has not made any plans to combat the Shakers' all-action style, which is designed to throw ball-playing opponents out of their stride. He said: "It's a difficult place to go because they make life hard for you to get into your game. "But we have to be good enough to make sure we can play our football." Bruce welcomes Vass Borbokis and Nicky Marker back from suspension but is short up front due to the striker shortage, even though he has brought 21-year-old forward Andy Campbell from Middlesbrough on a month's loan. Two weeks after letting Gareth Taylor join Manchester City, Bruce has seen Petr Katchouro ruled out until the New Year with a kidney complaint, and Graham Stuart and Paul Devlin struggle with hamstring problems. To compound matters Dean Saunders has moved to Benfica and Marcelo is fighting to be fit after picking up a virus. Paul Williams will play for Bury against the Blades having completed a permanent move to Gigg Lane. The fullback has been on a month's loan to the Shakers and the Lancastrians have now splashed out £40,000 on him. Bury manager Neil Warnock is delighted with his latest acquisition and he said: "He's only had one bad game since he came here. That was against Bolton - but then everyone had a bad game that day." Warnock has doubts about midfielder Lennie Johnrose (calf) and Laurent D'Jaffo (hamstring) but both are expected to start; though Adrian Littlejohn (hamstring) has less than a 50-50 chance.
Monday, 07 December 1998
Bury beat Albion - Bolton Evening News
ANY worries that the Shakers might be jet-lagged after their midwinter break in the Caribbean were firmly despatched as two first half goals put the skids under Denis Smith's Albion. It was a typically hardworking Shakers performance as they refused to let the visitors, buoyed up by last week's Black Country derby triumph over rivals Wolves, get into their stride. In doing so they went some way to redeeming themselves in the eyes of their fans who had spent a miserable week smarting in the wake of last week's hammering at the hands of Bolton. Lennie Johnrose opened the scoring after only nine minutes when he timed a run from midfield to perfection to meet Nick Daws' measured cross into the box. Then just before the half-hour it was 2-0 when Laurent D'Jaffo calmly slotted home from the penalty spot after Jimmy Quinn had handled an Adrian Littlejohn effort that looked to be going wide. "I was delighted with that performance," said Neil Warnock. "We've had a long trek back from the Caribbean and if the players felt like I did on Friday I don't know how they turned it on. "We went out and won most of the battles on the pitch and I told the lads that I expected us to win if we all perform. "It was a fine all-round team display. Our defence looked solid and Dean Kiely hardly had anything to save except for some long-range efforts. "Our two midfield men, Daws and Johnrose, were outstanding without being flashy and stopped their midfield playing, and Laurent D'Jaffo was a constant threat throughout the game".  Albion were missing their 22-goal striker Lee Hughes who was suspended for the game but in truth even he would have been hard pressed to get on the scoresheet with the Shakers defence in such miserly mood. "We didn't do ourselves justice," said Baggies chief Smith. "Although we had a lot of play we just couldn't break Bury down, we really needed a goal to put the pressure on them. But the Albion boss refused to make Hughes' absence an excuse for the defeat. "That would be the easy option, but if you are going to lose games because one player is missing that just isn't acceptable. "The way Bury play makes it very difficult for you, it's a style that you get away with at smaller clubs, I've done it myself, but if you're at a bigger club they won't accept you playing that way." Card-happy official Graham Laws sent Chris Swailes off for a second bookable offence four minutes from time for a clumsy foul on Albion flyer Kevin Kilbane. However, even then the visitors couldn't find a way back into the game, much to the disappointment of their 1200 travelling fans.  But there was no sympathy from Warnock for the dismissed defender. "It wasn't unlucky to get sent off like that it was brainless," he exclaimed. "When you are two goals up in the closing minutes you don't do things like that, I've no complaints over the decision. Anyone who gets sent off like that isn't thinking about the team, he won't be thinking about the team in two weeks time when we play Port Vale away."

The Official West Bromwich Albion Web Site
 Denis Smith's patience has finally snapped with his inconsistent stars after Saturday's lacklustre 2-0 defeat at Bury. And the Albion boss today vowed to 'ruffle a few feathers' in a determined bid to get the promotion campaign back on track. Insisting that the heavy-handed approach to management was not his style, Smith revealed: "I've upset a few people over the last couple of days - good. It's about time I started upsetting a few people. We'll see how they react." He went on: "It's not generally my way of management, but you try to shake people up. We'll see what reaction we get. "What I've done, instead of doing what I believe is the correct way to treat people, I've kicked a few backsides. Now people think that's how you should manage. "To be honest, I've found that people who manage by being a bully and shouting, generally do well for six months and then they disappear and they're never seen again." Smith continued: "Good man management is good man management whether it's in football or any other business. What you have to do is treat people correctly and if they are out of line, they have to be put back gently. "But today and Saturday I was a bit rougher than normal and ruffled a few feathers. I've done that in the past and I will do it I'm sure some time in the future." Denis Smith refused to use the absence of top scorer Lee Hughes as an excuse for defeat at Bury, but vowed his side would bounce back. Without 22-goal striker Hughes, the Baggies looked toothless in the final third, but Smith refused to seek excuses. "That's the easy option," he stressed, "If you're going to lose games because you've got one player missing, then that isn't acceptable." He went on: "We've come here wanting to win. We had a good result last week and it was important that we got another good result this week. "In the first half we've not really done ourselves justice. The second half, we've had a lot of the play, without really opening them up. We needed a goal, a break which would have put the pressure on them. "We've had enough of the play and got in enough good positions to get something out of today, but we gave them a two goal start before we got going." Despite his disappointment though, Smith appeared to rule out wholesale changes as he insisted his side could overcome their inconsistency and start to climb the table again. And he added: "Millwall were top at this time and got relegated, teams who are 17th get promoted. The season is a season and I work with players all the time. "Two lads came on today and I think they've done quite well, Richard and Mark Angel. Mark Angel must have got 10 crosses in or something and he's done very well. "So that obviously puts him in my mind. But I see these players all the time. If I thought I'd got players out of the team who would make us better, do you think it would be sensible for me not to play them?"
Friday, 04 December 1998
Bury back from the Caribbean - Nationwide Web Site
 Bury will be anxious to raise the temperature at Gigg Lane when they entertain West Bromwich Albion. They flew into a shivering Britain on Thursday after five days in the Caribbean and know their fans expect them to put on a good show. A midweek 2-0 win over the St Lucia national team has put them in good heart and only Lennie Johnrose of the first team squad is a doubtful starter. Shakers boss Neil Warnock, who celebrated his 50th birthday on St Lucia, said: "Albion have blown hot and cold so far this season but have picked up some great results like last week's win against Wolves. "But we have two successive home matches now and need to make them count. Once again we have to treat this game as a cup final and pull off another victory." The Bury boss will spend part of Friday attempting to extend Paul Williams' one-month loan period. A lengthier spell would give him time to agree terms for a possible permanent move from Gillingham.

Shakers bid for home rule - Bury Times
IT'S back to the mundane business of picking up First Division points for the Shakers tomorrow following their mid-winter Caribbean jaunt. West Bromwich Albion are the visitors to Gigg Lane and Neil Warnock's men will be hoping there won't be a repeat of last season's home clash between the sides. Paul Peschisolido bagged a hat-trick as the Baggies gave the Shakers a 3-1 hiding in what was their first home league defeat of the campaign. Chances of a repeat of that occurrence reduced dramatically this week with the news that Albion top-scorer Lee Hughes is suspended for tomorrow's clash. The 22-year-old former Kidderminster Harrier is currently the nation's leading marksman with 22 goals and is odds-on to pick up a car for being the first player to notch 25 before Boxing Day. His place is likely to be taken by ex Bolton Wanderers ace Fabian deFreitas while Albion boss Denis Smith also has former Manchester City full-back Jason van Blerk suspended. "I know Hughes will be a big loss for them but they'll still have Micky Evans up front, who I had at Plymouth," said Warnock. "People may remember he scored two goals for Plymouth when they won 5-0 at Gigg Lane in what proved to be Mike Walsh's final game. "Players always like to put one over on their old managers so we'll have to be on our guard. "But you've got to be pleased that the league's top scorer is out. "Albion have blown hot and cold so far this season but have picked up some great results like last week's win against Wolves. "But we've got two successive home matches now and need to make them count. Once again we need to treat this game as a cup final and pull off another victory which, with the fans help, we've been able to do in the past." Only Lennie Johnrose, rested in St Lucia, is a doubt of any kind and the Bury boss should have a full complement to choose from. Despite the air of despondency following last weekend's result the Shakers are in a far better position than this time last year. They currently stand on 24 points from 21 games a total it took 25 matches to arrive at last winter. On the corresponding Saturday last year Stan Ternent's men were five games into a 16-match sequence without a win a run only ended by the memorable Valentine's Day triumph at Maine Road. NEIL Warnock may attempt to extend full-back Paul Williams' one month loan period today. A lengthier spell would give the Bury boss time to agree terms for a permanent move.

Don't lose heart - Eaves
BURY FC majority shareholder Hugh Eaves has made an impassioned plea to Shakers fans not to be too dispirited after Saturday's harrowing defeat at local rivals Bolton. Around half of the 2,800 Bury supporters made for the exits after the Wanderers took a four goal lead with 22 minutes of the game remaining. And the man who has single-handedly bankrolled the club all the way to the First Division has spelled out the reality of life in Division One and is hoping there will be no fallout following Saturday's depressing result. "I understand why so many fans left in disappointment," he said yesterday. "But we were outclassed on the day and our team is good enough not to be, we should have done better. "That said, it is important to recognise the facts of life for Bury Football Club in the First Division. "Over the years my personal financial support for the club has been the equivalent of around 4,000 extra supporters on the gate each home match and yet that is still not enough to compete properly at this level. "On these limited resources, we have practically rebuilt the ground, obtained First Division status, kept it for a second season and offered the town the opportunity to watch top class visiting teams. "The fact that we are the poorest supported team in the division and that our total gate revenue this season will actually be less than Bolton's "parachute" payment from the Premier League, is only going to cause us to redouble our efforts to progress. "If anyone knows of a further benefactor who can help us do it more quickly they should let me know "We were all shell-shocked on Saturday and the best way fans can help us recover is by coming along to Gigg on Saturday and getting behind the team, we can only take the club forward with your help," he added. Before leaving on the five-day midwinter break to St Lucia manager Neil Warnock explained that his side had just met Wanderers at the wrong time. "We probably got Bolton a week too late because they were full of confidence after two away wins," he said. "Although that was the best performance I've seen from a side against us this season I'd have liked to have pulled a goal back after half time to see what they would have done, but it wasn't to be. "I believe we've played all the top clubs away from home after this and from now to the end of the season we can get a result in every game. "Other clubs have got to come to the Bolton's and Sunderland's and we've just got to worry about us now," he concluded.

Caribbean cracker for Nicky
NEIL Warnock got a 50th birthday treat to remember when the Shakers saw off the St Lucian national side 2-0 in Tuesday evening's historic clash. Goals from Nick Daws and Kemajl Avdiu were the difference between the teams when they squared up in the Mindoo Phillips Park stadium in Castries, the island capital. After a promising start by the home side the partisan crowd of 3,000 were silenced by a superb 25-yard strike by Daws which swung the game the Shakers way. There was also a useful performance by 20-year old reserve Keeper Paddy Kenny who deputised for Dean Kiely. Ranked 134th in the world by FIFA, St Lucia gave a run-out to much-travelled striker Ken Charlery, who is now on Barnet's books. In a memorable break for the club the Shakers received VIP treatment from the locals beginning with a steel band reception as they touched down at the island's airport. They spent the week appearing at various functions, going on goodwill tours of schools and were introduced to the island's Prime Minister. "The local people were particularly impressed by Bury's performance against Manchester United," said Peter Miller, spokesman for the St Lucia FA. "The players' names have become household names they have been mentioned so often in the newspapers, radio and on TV!" The club are the first professional touring side to play an official fixture against the island team, although 25 years ago Burnley made an unscheduled stop when on a cruise of the West Indies, and played an impromptu match against the best of the locals.