Murph urges Shakers to tighten up (From Bury Times)

Murph urges Shakers to tighten up

9:20am Friday 18th December 2009

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BRIAN Barry-Murphy has told his team-mates to stop shipping the goals that have blighted their recent performances.

The Shakers have conceded three to both Morecambe and Dagenham already this month, meaning they are not getting the results their overall play deserves.

Mistakes have started to creep in at the back and midfielder Brian Barry-Murphy admits Bury need to tighten up.

“Against Dagenham last weekend the first goal was a catalogue of mistakes while the second was naive on our part,” said the 31-year-old Irishman.

“We were playing some good football, like we do away from home, and I expected us to score but it didn’t come and it was disappointing to lose again.

“We realise as a group we have to be more ruthless defensively. It is a collective thing because we have been leaving the big lads at the back exposed.

“The goals we conceded last weekend were disappointing.”

Barry-Murphy, pictured, and his Bury team-mates are up against a familiar foe tomorrow, with former Shakers director of football Keith Alexander the manager of Macclesfield.

It promises to be a tasty local derby and Barry-Murphy said: “We have to go on another unbeaten run now, we have to stay positive.

“It will be a tough game but I am more focused on what we’re doing. The games come really quickly at this time of year, so it’s important that we stay focused.”

Victory could put Bury back into the play-off places, but Barry-Murphy warned: “We must not become too pre-occupied with the table.”

Bury will be without Daniel Nardiello after he was recalled from his loan spell by Blackpool and he will be replaced in the team by Ryan Lowe.

Michael Jones could also step up from the bench and take the place of Danny Racchi, but Ryan Cresswell, Andy Bishop, Danny Carlton and Damien Allen remain on the sidelines.

Captain Stephen Dawson, who turned down a contract to stay at Gigg Lane earlier this week, should retain his place in the team.

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