Bury vice-captain Tom Soares has given his support to caretaker manager Ronnie Jepson ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Portsmouth after the sacking of Kevin Blackwell on Monday.
Soares said that his team’s poor start to the season had cost Blackwell his job after last week’s 2-0 defeat against Morecambe, which sent Bury to 21st in the table.
The midfielder is now backing Jepson to stay in the Bury hot seat.
“Ronnie’s got the job at the moment and I think he will keep it,” the midfielder told the Bury Times.
“He’s been around a long time, he knows his football and he knows what he’s doing.
“We are just going to go out there and play as hard as we can for him.”
Bury will be hoping that Jepson can give the team a much-needed boost of confidence as they head to Fratton Park.
Bury have only recorded two wins this season and have not won in their last eight matches. They are hovering above the drop zone while Portsmouth are sitting comfortably mid-table.
“Me personally, and the whole team feel we let the gaffer down,” said Soares.
“The buck always stops with the manager but we are the ones who have been out there not getting the results.
“We have just got to be men and deal with it and go out there and do what we need to do.”
Winger Craig Jones will travel to Portsmouth despite a groin strain while Marco Navas and Rob Lainton have both been ruled out, however new loan signing Danny Hylton could potentially start.
Jepson meanwhile has refused to publically state he wants the job. Big names such as Steve Kean have been linked to the position but this has come as no surprise to Blackwell’s replacement.
“I’ve not knocked on the chairman’s door saying I want the job,” said Jepson.
“I’m surprised my mother hasn’t applied for it, there’s that many.
“It’s no surprise – it’s football. We’re not silly, we know what goes on, and if the chairman decides to appoint somebody else then I wish him all the best.”
Image courtesy of BBC via YouTube, with thanks.
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