Bury Sport

Knill: We need to finish teams off

By Marc Higginson

11:20am Thursday 2nd September 2010

SHAKERS boss Alan Knill has called for a more ruthless and clinical approach from his side – starting against Gillingham on Saturday.

The Bury manager is still smarting from his team’s failure to hold on for victory at Barnet last weekend after taking a second half lead.

For the last two weekends, Knill has been left with a sense of regret after successive 1-1 draws and he has called for more adventure from his players.

“I still think it was two points lost on Saturday,” said Knill. “We didn’t play well but I think we did enough to win the game.

“They never troubled us and had just two shots on target so that shows we were solid enough.

“We just need to be more clinical and positive now – whether that is having a shot or getting more men forward.

“I like to keep a shape. We are certainly not gung-ho, but I will never stop players from getting forward. We encourage the full-backs and midfielders to get up and support.

“We need to commit a few more people when we get forward because when we did get good delivery into the box there was nobody there to capitalise.

“There needs to be a desire to get into the box and take our chances because you don’t score goals with nice football outside the box.”

Knill is delighted to see the transfer window slam shut with none of his squad plucked from his grasp.

The club turned down a bid for an unnamed player because it fell way short of their valuation while the manager also rubbished rumours linking Andy Bishop with a move to South Africa.

“I am delighted that nobody has left because it would be disruptive,” said Knill, who has no injury worries ahead of the weekend.

“I’ve spent all summer working hard to put this squad together and it usually means you’re losing one of your best players if a bid comes in.

“I’m happy with my squad now but if something did turn up I would look into strengthening the squad.”

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