IT'S eight games into the new campaign and Bury boss Graham Barrow is looking for something extra from his new-look side.

And Saturday afternoon's visit of second-placed Scunthorpe United is as good a time to start as any.

So far, the Gigg Lane men have racked up twelve points from a possible 24 and currently lie tenth in the Coca Cola League Two table.

But given the level of performance and the standard of football that's been played it's a position that does them no justice at all.

And the missing ingredients are a bit of steel and determination.

As a player Barrow earned a reputation as a versatile and tough competitor with Chester City and Wigan Athletic.

Now, as a manager, he wants to add some ruthlessness to the much-improved displays because it's proving costly.

Last week's 2-2 draw at Shrewsbury Town was a good example.

Cruising at 2-0 with 20 minutes remaining, the Shakers let the game slip by conceding two sloppy goals from set-pieces.

What should have been a deserved three points ended up only one and it's that kind of profligacy that Barrow is keen halt.

"It's a lack of professionalism that's been costing us," he said.

"There are ways and means of winning matches and there was no way Shrewsbury should have pulled two goals back.

"I'm delighted that we are averaging two goals a game, and we want to continue playing good football, but the goals against column has to tighten up.

"We are a stronger and better team than last season and it's time our results began to show it.

"I honestly think there's a chance to do something with this side this season and the players should believe that too.

"I've not read the riot act but I've had a word with one or two of the them individually.

"These things are tarnishing a good start to the season."

While the back three of Danny Swailes, Dave Challinor and Paul Scott are looking strong, it's elsewhere that the problems lie.

Barrow reckons the rest of the team should take more responsibility to mark the opposition better, and believes goalkeeper Glyn Garner needs to work on his concentration.

"Glyn is a good keeper when he is busy," he added.

"But now he has to be a good keeper when he's out of the game for periods like he has been.

"He had little to do in the first half last week and hardly anything in the second until they got the free-kick they scored from.

"He can learn from coaches Kelham O'Hanlon and John Forrest, both former goalkeepers who used to talk a lot when the ball was at the other end of the field to help keep their concentration."

After flirting with the relegation places last season, Saturday's opponents Scunthorpe have had a great start to this campaign.

They have suffered only one reverse so far, that came last week when they were surprisingly defeated 2-1 at home by Chester City.

But Barrow is sure that if his men are on top of their game they need fear no-one, and expects them to put the memory of their last home match - the 1-0 defeat at the hands of Lincoln - firmly to bed.

"I've every respect for what Brian Laws has done at Scunthorpe but don't see anything to frighten us," he said.

"He's made some changes in the summer and they look to be paying off for him.

"We had them watched against Chester and it was nip-and-tuck but Brian's teams always have a go and it should be a good game."

The only injury problem the boss has to contend with this weekend is striker Graeme Jones' calf problem, and he admits he might have to look at bringing in a loan replacement if his absence continues.

But while Jones isn't putting pressure on first choice forwards Dave Nugent and Chris Porter at present, Jon Newby certainly is.

The former Liverpool man bagged two goals in the reserves 3-1 victory at Wrexham on Wednesday evening, with Terry Dunfield adding a third from the penalty spot.

It was a superb display from the second string according to Barrow, who was very impressed with Newby's performance on the night.

"They were absolutely fantastic and both the professionals and the kids in the team did well," he said.

"That's two wins and two draws from their first four games and they are reflecting the way the first team are playing, always on the move and knocking the ball about well.

"Jon is looking sharper and sharper, apart from his two goals he got behind their defence time and time again and got in some great crosses."

The reserves are now in second place in the Pontin's Holiday League Division One West, behind 'local rivals' Manchester United.

Kick-off at Gigg Lane Saturday is 3pm.