WE take a break from league action this weekend as we travel to Bury for the second round of the FA Cup.

We're keen to have a good run in the competition this year and will be treating the match properly.

But I do feel that the romance of the FA Cup is pretty much dead now.

The top teams in the country don't take it as seriously as they used to and I think it's a real shame because the FA Cup used to be a fantastic competition.

The big sides now field weakened sides though and it's not nice to see what's happened.

However, the cup is still capable of producing some exciting moments and getting in to the third round would give everyone connected with our club a real buzz.

The dream is to obviously be drawn against one of the Premier League teams but we can't afford to look too far ahead because Bury are in great form at the moment.

They had a slow start to the season but they've really started to turn things around now.

They're in the top seven in current form in League One and have won five of their last eight games so we know we're in for a tough test.

We're looking forward to the challenge but we will be forced in to making a couple of changes as both Tamika Mkandawire and Britt Assombalonga have been denied permission to play by the clubs they're on loan from.

That will give other players an opportunity to impress but I'm still thinking about what the best line-up will be and who should come in to the side.

We have a couple of players with injury and illness who will also need checking on before naming the side but we're up for the game and would love to be in the hat for Sunday's third round draw.

FANS HAVE BEEN FIRST CLASS

I'D like to finish off this week by saying how fantastic I thought our fans were against Rochdale at Roots Hall last weekend.

Rochdale took the decision to change ends before the start of the game and that meant we attacked the North Bank in the second half which I actually thought was of great benefit for us.

The noise our supporters generated was great and any frustrations they had were aired at half-time and full-time which is what I've always asked for.

I do understand that it's been a tough four of five years for this football club and fans are frustrated because of what's happened.

Those feelings have often been vented at home matches but I believe that is starting to change.

If that can continue it would give us a huge boost and the last two or three home games have been far more positive.

To come back and beat Rochdale like we did was great and if the home form can become more consistent, with our away form staying the same we will be right up there this season.