BURY will be looking to pick up where they left off at Gigg Lane on Saturday when they entertain Oldham.

There should be a decent crowd for the Greater Manchester derby, which should add a little bit of extra spice, not that the game needs it as the Shakers search for their first league win at home to Oldham since 1967.

I expect the Bury contingent to show Peter Clarke – last year’s player of the season for the Shakers – the respect he deserves when he returns in Latics colours. I think they will appreciate the shift he put in for Bury last season and should give the defender a good reception.

But as soon as that whistle goes the friendship ends.

You can take it for granted Tom Pope will be itching to score past his former team-mate and make it three goals in three matches.

It would be nice to see him have some company up front.

Popey is a big enough character to fill the shoes of the departed Leon Clarke, but they are very different players.

You won’t see the former Port Vale striker run the channels like Clarke did. He wants to be in the 18-yard box, where he can do the most damage, and likes to feed off a partner.

Give Tom a foil and I am certain he has the ability to become the 20-goal-a-season man Bury thought they were buying when he arrived last summer.

The important thing for Bury is to take the initiative and force the issue at Gigg, just as they did on the opening day against Charlton.

If they can keep that momentum going at home, very quickly they will create a siege mentality. I can see Gigg becoming a place no other team wants to visit – and if the points start to roll in that will take the pressure off away matches.

Any points you pick up away from home are a bonus, you can’t afford to rely on them.

Bury put in decent displays in narrow defeats at Burton and Gillingham, and dominated Coventry in Tuesday’s 0-0 draw. So there were positives in all three performances to build on.

If Bury can just keep the points’ tally ticking over by winning home games then sooner or later, their fortunes away will improve.Start dropping points at home and the pressure will only intensify.