IT’S a bitter blow losing Andrew Tutte for the next couple of weeks, but in a strange way it couldn’t have come at a better time for the Shakers.

When things are down and results are going against you, a longer term injury can feel like the end of the world. But that certainly isn’t the mood around Gigg Lane these days.

The psyche after a run of good results is completely different. All of a sudden you can shrug off the disappointments and it becomes an opportunity for someone to step in.

Tutte has been excellent for Bury this season and there isn’t one player you’d pick out to step straight into his midfield role. But someone will, and they’ll be coming into a team that is brimming with confidence.

Wins against Sheffield United and Walsall mean they have really arrived in League One. I’m not saying Bury are heading for promotion but I definitely think they will surprise a few people.

On Saturday I was doing some scouting at Barnsley and driving back over the Woodhead Pass I tuned into BBC Radio Sheffield. When news of a goal came in at 1-1 I assumed it would be for the Blades but, no, it was a goal of the season contender from Joe Riley.

Later on another goal was announced; here we go, an equaliser,’ I thought, but it was Leon Clarke with an equaliser.

I must admit that with the run Sheffield United had been on, I didn’t fancy Bury. But the result has put the skids on them because they lost against Colchester United in midweek too.

The question is can Flitcroft get his side playing as well at home?

We’ve seen a lot of teams sit back, hit them on the counter and nick something at Gigg Lane – a tactic that the Shakers have used on their travels themselves.

Does Flitcroft try to rein his team in a bit at home? Make them more resolute? I’m sure those thoughts have crossed his mind.

There is always a pressure on you as the home team to play a certain way and perhaps Flitcroft might have to go against his natural instincts to be on the front foot if he’s going to keep this excellent run of results going.

His dressing room will be confident, so it is a good problem for him to have at the moment.