Manager David Flitcroft and striker Tom Pope have given their thoughts following the two one victory over Wigan Athletic last night in the first round of the Capital One Cup.
Beginning with the gaffer firstly, he was quoted by the Bury Times as saying that he wanted the side to make a mark in the game.
‘My thoughts were turning towards the Bolton game, how we just missed out. That was redemption for me. I think there is a bit more quality in there (compared to Bolton). I didn`t feel in trouble. I didn`t feel under threat. The penalty went in and it was a disappointment, but after that the back four defended brilliantly.’
Having come from behind in the game after their opening strike early on in the second half, Flitcroft was obviously pleased to have seen his half time tinkering then take effect as Leon Clarke helped himself to a brace after the restart.
With Clarke having an effort in the first half chalked off for offside as well, he’ll have been pleased with both goals.
‘I was delighted with the half-time clean sheet but for everything that we talked about I might as well have not gone in at half-time. Credit to them, though, it (goal) just galvanised us. I said to the team at half-time that with Leon Clarke and Tom Pope on the pitch we had to get more crosses in. The first cross comes in and Leon scores from it.’
As for the overall performance and putting down a marker for the season, he went on to explain.
‘I wanted to put a marker down. We have come to one of the super powers of League One, a team recruited to absolutely smash this league up, and we have gone toe-to-toe with them, so I`m delighted.’
As for Pope, he admitted his disappointment at starting on the bench but was delighted to have made the impact he was hoping for when he came on.
His interview is carried by the official site.
‘I`m not daft, Saturday was well below par. I don`t think we played to my strengths, it was very difficult against a 6ft 6 centre half, but I still wasn`t good enough. When you are in a good team, with aspirations of promotion, if you`re not playing well you aren`t going to get in the side. Obviously I`m disappointed, but you have lots of setbacks during a season and you can`t expect to play every game, but I knew when I came on I had to make an impact and I think I did that.’
Pope went on to talk about his strengths as a player and how he likes to play and said it’s just a matter of adjusting and getting to know his colleagues more following his arrival from Port Vale and vice versa in terms of them understanding the movement he’s likely to make, but he’s confident it will come together inside of a few more games.
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