Bury boss David Flitcroft insists that there is no additional pressure on his side ahead of a derby-day battle with Rochdale for a place in the FA Cup third round.
The Sunday clash, which is live on BT Sport, will pit Flitcroft against old friend Keith Hill as he returns to Spotland for the first time in the opposing dugout.
Flitcroft insisted that the presence of the television cameras will not add to the pressure of the occasion and that the tie is a fitting reward for his side’s performance in the previous round against Wigan.
“I don’t see it as pressure, I see it as a reward for knocking out the best team in the competition,” he said.
“We knocked out Wigan who were the best team in League One with fantastic history. The way we played in that match was fantastic.
“A TV game always gives you an opportunity to show how professional you are, as long as there is a desire and commitment to what you are doing and there certainly will be that.”
The sides ground out a 0-0 draw at Gigg Lane in League One earlier this year, but Flitcroft is expecting a high quality affair between two sides playing attractive football.
“When the game against Rochdale was drawn it probably went to a footballing panel and they wanted to see two good footballing sides,” he said.
“As well as the fact it is a local derby, there’s history between the two sides and history between myself and Keith Hill too.
“Both sides will be battling it out for a place in the third round of the FA Cup, and it will be an occasion.
“It’ll be an occasion because our fans will turn up in their numbers, and it’s a great day for them as they have travelled away from home really well for the last 10 months.
“When I first came in we were under a black cloud, but I think that has lifted.
“It’s the chairman, the players and my job to make sure the club is progressing and keeps the momentum going, and a few poor results certainly won’t derail us or our plan.
“In fact it makes me even more determined to get this right and keep giving the supporters what they deserve.”
Image courtesy of Bury FC via YouTube, with thanks.
