Bury boss David Flitcroft has his fingers crossed for a match against one of the ‘big boys’ in the third round of the FA Cup, following a 1-0 win against Rochdale.
Danny Rose’s eighth minute header was enough to secure the Shakers a second consecutive derby victory in the cup, having demolished Wigan 4-0 in the previous round.
The away side could have added to their total as Peter Clarke had a goal from a corner ruled out for a questionable foul and Leon Clarke’s fine finish was also disallowed for offside, when he appeared level.
These incidents did not seem to bother Flitcroft who said he would prefer to drawn with Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United, but avoid Manchester City after they dealt his Barnsley side a 5-0 hammering in the 2013 quarter-finals.
“I’d love Manchester United [in the next round],” he said.
“I know it’s easy to say that. I’d love the supporters to go there in their numbers and it’s so local.
“I went to Manchester City with Barnsley and it could have been 16 so I really don’t want them! They were incredible, [Carlos] Tevez scored a hatful and that game left a mental scar on me.
“Any of the big boys would be fantastic and a reward for hard work. I’ll watch the draw with the family and go mad if we get a good one.”
Flitcroft said the atmosphere at Spotland on Sunday inspired him and effectively gave him his team talk as he urged his players to ‘give something back’ to the travelling support.
“I know what my role is, to try and lead and motivate and inspire a group of players, but I’ve been inspired and motivated today when I came out to that wall of noise,” he said.
“I said to the players before the game to make your families proud and try to make it bigger than just a game. There’s an emotional attachment to it – the players understood that.
“We started fantastically well, but we had to because you’ve got to peg this team back, because they’re a very good, aggressive, dynamic team that love attacking.
“The FA Cup is about the players and the supporters, who have turned out in great numbers today, and it’s for them. It’s about giving back and as a manager you’re always giving back.”
Image courtesy of Bury FC via YouTube, with thanks.
