SATURDAY’S defeat really took the wind out of everybody’s sails, coming on the back of that good win at Wycombe.

While the game was a lot closer than the scoreline suggested, for me, the match highlighted two glaring problems.

The first was defending at corners. To concede from two identical corners in quick succession is sacrilege.

Bury are conceding far too many goals from set pieces and looked fragile every time the ball was flung into the box, which is something you have got to get to grips with at this level.

Part and parcel of that problem is leadership – or the lack of it. I think the team is crying out for a leader on the pitch.

It doesn’t matter who is the manager, when the players cross that white line they need someone out there who can organise things and remind team-mates of their jobs.

I know the captain, Andy Procter, from his days at Preston. For me, he is a captain who prefers to lead by example but I think he needs to be more vocal.

When players lose their men at corners they need to be warned in no uncertain terms not to do it again.

His team-mates may not like it but that is what the situation demands and I think that is what Bury are lacking at the moment.

Saying that, the team is in its infancy and the players are still getting used to each other.

This weekend’s FA Cup tie against Cambridge United could be the sort of occasion when players can really get their feet under the table and nail down their place, and their role within the team.

When the draw was made, the ideal scenario would have been a non-league team at home. Bury got that but unfortunately they drew the best team in non-league.

So it will be a tough tie but one that represents a great chance for players to make a name for themselves. Let’s hope they can do that.