THEY say a week is a long time in politics – but the same goes for football.

Just look at Bury – three straight wins have completely changed the emphasis of their season.

From looking down at a potential relegation scrap, the focus has now switched upwards to a possible charge for a play-off place.

Momentum is key at this stage of any campaign and Bury have it.

When I was at Sheffield United we always seemed to be bottom around Christmas, but then went on a brilliant run to get out of trouble.

When you are on a run like that it feels as if you are walking on air and go into every game, regardless of who you are playing, with the confidence you can win.

That’s how Bury will feel going to Scunthorpe on Saturday.

Russ Wilcox’s side may be unbeaten in 25 matches and will feel exactly the same way, but that won’t change the Shakers’ mindset.

In many respects, Scunthorpe are the ones with all the pressure as they will be desperate to get those final few points that will clinch promotion, and they have the small matter of a title to go for.

Now Bury are safe, they can play with freedom and without any weight of expectations, other than what they put on their own shoulders.

It is amazing we should be able to talk this way, considering everything Bury have gone through this season, but I think it just shows what a crazy division this is.

To bridge seven points to the play-off places with five games to play is still an unlikely prospect, but if they can beat Scunthorpe you have to believe that it is possible.

In my view, all the teams are much of a muchness and while Bury’s next few games are against sides fighting for promotion, with the quality of players Flickers has at his disposal I don’t think they should have anything to fear.

They also have the added security of a defence playing at the top of their game.

Losing Frederic Veseli, admittedly, is a blow, but I think Mr Versatile – Chris Sedgwick – could easily do a job at right-back.

And don’t forget that whoever the manager calls upon will be backed by one of the best keepers in the division in Brian Jensen.

He has made it clear that he would like another year at Bury and I for one would give him another contract.

Flickers may want to go his own way and bring in his own man, but if you are making a decision based on form alone then Brian has done more than enough to deserve another year.