A few weeks ago this match looked like a relegation six-pointer but now both teams are safe. Is it safe to say you are happy with how the season has turned out?
Without a doubt! Last May we were very close to going out of business so to see us possibly finishing in the top half of the table is very pleasing to say the least.
What has David Flitcroft done to improve Bury's fortunes so much in recent times?
He’s built from the back we have a great backline that don’t concede many goals apart from at Chesterfield. Brian Jensen, even though he’s at the end of his career, is still a fantastic goalkeeper and has won us points on his own. Pablo Mills has been fantastic signing and hardly puts a foot wrong. So too has Jim McNulty who could easily be playing in a higher division.
He has also got us playing patient football. We’ve tried to pass it when possible and we’ve scored and out-passed some teams since he came in although we’ve not always got the result we’ve deserved.
What did you make of Richie Barker when he was your manager?
He’ll always be remembered for being the guy who pushed us over the line a few seasons ago to promotion out of this league. Outsiders will always look at that and think he must be quite decent. However, in reality, anybody could have got us over the line. We had a decent squad and a real togetherness that teams have when they go up.
His tactical awareness in League One was frightening and he got lucky in the first season there due to two or three good loan signings. He then buggered off to Crawley and he left some really poor players on high wages/good contracts. Inevitably we got relegated and nearly went out of business the following summer. It wasn’t his entire fault but it just showed what a poor manager he is.
I think he’s a good coach but not everyone can make the transition from coach to manager and you can see from his stints at Crawley and your lot he just isn’t a good enough manager. I hope no one else in the Football League has to endure his management and tactics again.
Who have been the best performers in a Bury shirt that Pompey fans should be wary of on Saturday?
Danny Mayor is a decent player; on his day can be a right handful for any defender. Sometimes his distribution is poor but I think in a few years he’ll be a decent player at a higher level. Craig Jones is decent player too.
I believe we’re letting a few reserve team players play so I’m not sure what the team will be. Nardiello is suspended for the rest of the season so he won’t be playing unfortunately for us.
What are your team's biggest weaknesses that Pompey could exploit?
Corners – If you’re decent at them then it’s quite possible you’ll score as we’ve been terrible with them all season.
Do you want Trevor Carson back? We're quite keen to keep him here at Portsmouth.
He’s a very good goalkeeper but I pretty sure he’ll be gone at the end of the season, he’s out of contract and I think Jensen is just as reliable if not more.
What is there to do in Bury for the early arriver on Saturday?
The Swan and Cemetery is probably the best pub near the ground, situated on Manchester Road near Gigg Lane, there’s also a proper ale pub at the train station called Trackside - both decent places to have a drink before the match. There’s not really much else to do unless you fancy a bit of shopping beforehand.
What kind of match will you be expecting at Gigg Lane?
I think it’ll be your typical end of season game, both clubs will be playing without pressure and I’m sure both teams will play players that probably wouldn’t normally play.
Hopefully it’s not too dull but I don’t think it’ll be a classic.
Predict the outcome of the game.
We’ve been unbeaten at home for a while so hopefully we keep it going for this last game
Bury 1 Portsmouth 1