Bury skipper issues MK Dons rallying call (From Bury Times)

Bury skipper issues MK Dons rallying call

5:00pm Thursday 10th January 2013 in Sport By Craig Nelson

SHAKERS captain Steven Schumacher has urged his team-mates to keep their focus on the pitch as they prepare for Saturday’s trip to MK Dons.

Bury, who have been hit by departures, injuries and illness, could be down to just 16 fit first- team players for what is sure to be one of the toughest matches of the season.

Karl Robinson’s promotion contenders beat Bury 4-1 at Gigg Lane earlier in the campaign and, despite a few dodgy results since then, remain sixth, just in the League One play-off places.

And Schumacher knows he and his team-mates will have to put in a much-improved performance if they are to end their run of 10 games without a win.

“Who knows what team we are going to put out, but the lads who go out and play have got to make sure that it means something,” said the 28-year-old centre-midfielder.

“If we don’t throw everything at it then we are not going to come away with anything.”

Despite Bury’s poor season – they are second-bottom – Schumacher is enjoying one of his best campaigns since joining the club in 2010.

He is sitting at the top of the team’s goalscoring charts, with seven in all competitions, but admits he would prefer not to be taking such a starring role.

“I don’t really want to be top goalscorer, I want to be behind someone who gets 20,” he said.

“If you are in a side that’s doing that then we wouldn’t be where we are in the league.”