Ben Herd / Ben Herd / 31 March 2010 / Leave a comment " class="free-bet-btn" rel="external" onclick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/G4/inline-freebet');" target="_blank">Free Bet View Market

It's three wins out of three for everybody's favourite Aldershot right-back. Meanwhile, Bury are on a poor run but their talented midfielder is still hoping they can make a dash for the play-offs.

"There are eight games left and I see them as an opportunity to raise my form, put in the good performances that will see us into the play-offs."

It's been a pretty good week for us here at Aldershot; we collected nine points out of our three games, which included a 600 mile round trip to Darlington last Tuesday. Bury were our victims on Saturday. I have to say that we did ride our luck a little bit, especially in the opening stages of the game. Anyway, In the hot seat this week for betting.betfair.com is Bury's creative midfielder, Mike Jones. Mike is a young, up and coming player who has endeared himself to the Bury faithful with his bravery, ability to get on the ball and creative flair. He narrowly missed out on automatic promotion by a single goal last season. Here's what he had to say:

So Mike, what did you make of Saturday's game?

We started quite brightly and had Aldershot on the back foot for the first 20 minutes or so, creating one or two decent chances. We have been on a bad run results wise, over the last few weeks and we looked at this game as one we could definitely win. Our striker, Tom Elliott, rounded your goalkeeper but somehow missed an empty net, that missed chance seemed to knock us a little bit and not long after we conceded a penalty, so instead of being 1-0 up, we found ourselves 0-1 down. Aldershot's next goal was a decent hit as well, it was a full 25 yards out and, with it being so soon after half-time, it knocked us a little bit more and we couldn't really get back into the game.

It wasn't too long ago that Bury seemed to be pushing Rochdale for the League Two Championship, now you find yourselves just about in the play-off's, can you put your finger on what's gone wrong?

It's hard to say really, although we haven't had any decent results in a while, we haven't been playing that badly. Saturday's game is a pretty good example of that, we missed an early chance and then got hit by a sucker punch. We like to get the ball down and play and I don't think the pitches have helped us over the last few weeks. In saying that, it is the same for both teams, we probably need to adapt better and maybe have a bit more of a plan B, because it is difficult when you try and play the right way and the ball just bobbles about everywhere. I don't think we have scored from open play in about six games, so we need to address that, but there are eight games to go and we are more than capable of putting a run together, just like Exeter did this time last year.

How pleased have you been with your form this season, and who will be getting your vote for player of the season?

Personally, I had a really good season last year and at the start of the season this is where I picked up from. Unfortunately, I suffered an ankle ligament injury which kept me out for a few weeks, my form and ankle hasn't really got back to how it was on a consistent basis, it's fair to say it has been a bit patchy. However, there are eight games left and I see them as an opportunity to raise my form and put in the good performances that will see us into the play-offs. As for player of the season, I would say Ryan Lowe; he is a dream to have up front for a wide man. He is an intelligent footballer who always wants the ball and you know exactly where he will be when you put the ball in the box. His goals have also been invaluable for us and we are missing them at the minute because he is suspended.

What targets do you have in your career?

First and foremost it would be promotion with Bury, after going agonisingly close last season, it would be nice to put that behind us and go up this year. As for myself, playing at a higher level. You have to be realistic about these things, if I can stay clear of injuries and keep working hard at my game then who knows where that will take me. I would be over the moon to play in the Championship, but I would settle for playing in League 1 with Bury next season for now.

Finally, who has had the biggest impact on your career to date?

The lads will probably give me some stick if they read this but I would say my current manager Alan Knill. After I was released by Tranmere, he gave me a chance to play week in week out. His philosophy on getting the ball down and playing is a dream for me as a wide man as well. He has given me so much confidence and belief in my own ability which has allowed me to go out and play with a certain amount of freedom.

Football

Favourite Premier League Player? Wayne Rooney
Favourite player outside the Premier League? Xavi
Manager you'd most like to work under? Jose Mourinho
Club you'd most like to play for? Everton

Best mate in Football? Michael Johnstone
Messiest eater? Danny Racchi
Biggest ladies man Danny Racchi
Worse Dressed team-mate? David Worrall

Non-football

Dream date? Paris Hilton
Favourite TV programme? Shameless
Favourite shop? All Saints
Worst vice? Sleeping too much
Biggest pet hate? Liars

50/50

Chinese or Curry? Chinese
Pepsi or Coke? Coke
BMW or Audi? Audi
Pro Evo or Fifa? Fifa
Michael Buble or Akon? Akon

Tags: Aldershot, Ben Herd, Bury, League Two football betting, Mike Jones