SHAKERS skipper Nick Daws has sent out a defiant message to anyone doubting Bury's chances of reaching the play-offs and going up to the First Division writes STEVE CANAVAN.

Keep 13 fit players, reckons Dawsy, and we'll be up there with the best of them.

Speaking on the eve of the new season, the long-serving midfielder is confident that Bury have enough quality in their side to mount a serious challenge to the top sides.

But, he admits, it all depends on Alan Raw's physio room.

If it's crowded, the Shakers could be in trouble. If, on the other hand, Mr Raw's workload is light, then Bury may surprise a few people this year.

Daws said: "If we can keep 13 or 14 players fully fit then we can be competitive and we will have a great chance.

"The problem last season was that we had injuries especially in defence when the likes of Sam Collins and Chris Swailes were out for long periods and rarely played together.

"When that happens it becomes increasingly difficult to stay in contention and last season ended up being a disappointment."

Daws also believes consistency is the key to a good season.

The captain, who is still ambitious to play at a higher level though preferably with Bury, says the Shakers lost too many games last year against the so-called weaker teams.

He said: "We did well against the teams at the top. It was the teams at the bottom which we struggled against and we need to put that right.

"We have got a quality squad here and most of us have played at a higher level but we have to make sure our attitude is right and we achieve consistency in every game.

"String three wins together in a row in this league and it can lift you seven or eight places."

Daws, aged 30, who must have covered every single inch of the Gigg Lane turf since he joined Bury from Altrincham for a bargain £10,000 in 1992, had a consistently impressive Isle of Man tournament and, penalty-taking aside, is looking good for the new campaign.

Against Bolton he was at his tigerish best, pressuring opponents into making mistakes and using his never-ending energy to help out in both attack and defence.