THERE is no real pressure on Bury as they go into the Easter holiday double header with them rooted firmly in mid-table, seemingly with no fear of relegation or genuine hope of promotion.

That is not to say they have nothing to play for – there is always something to play for in football.

The players will all have their own personal goals, whether it is trying to earn a new contract or putting themselves in the shop window, if their Bury days are numbered.

They are also professionals, this is their job, so maximum effort in every game should be a given. Just because the end of the season is in sight, there is never any excuse to take your foot off the gas and the manager, David Flitcroft, will be keeping a close eye on that.

Bury not only have a duty to their own fans, they also have a responsibility to the league.

Tomorrow the Shakers go to Blackpool, who are fighting to stave off relegation, and then on Monday entertain Gillingham, who still have an outside chance of automatic promotion.

Both games will have an important impact on the table so Bury have a big part to play in the outcome of the season.

The players should relish the games. It is a great time of year to play – the fans will all be in holiday mode, it is the business end of the season, so what is not to enjoy?

I have said before these games should also be used to give untried and untested players the chance to stake a claim for the future.

It is great the chairman, Stewart Day, has backed Flitcroft once again in the transfer market this week but I can’t help thinking there has been a missed opportunity.

The manager puts a lot of stock in his dual role as a coach, so why go straight to the loan market to replenish your squad when injuries bite? Why not show how the youngsters in your squad are progressing?

I am a little concerned by the number of players that have come and gone under Flitcroft’s tenure. He seems to lose trust in players too easily.

Fair play, Day has continually gone to his cheque book to bring in replacements but the kind of turnover we have seen is not sustainable.

What I want to see is a stable squad that can give the club a good foundation to build on in League One next season and these final matches of the campaign offer an opportunity to put those building blocks in place.