IT is hard to argue with any of Bury’s loan signings over the past couple of weeks, even if the sharp influx of players has come a little out of the blue.

Hallam Hope’s return is a massive boost and I would not be surprised if he now commits his future to the JD Stadium past this two-month loan spell.

Each and every player signed adds to the quality of the squad, giving the manager comparable or even improved options, should any of his permanent crop suffer a drop in form or pick up an injury.

I can also see a clear method in the timing, with the players arriving well before the closure of the loan window.

The games come thick and fast during December and although Bury suffered the disappointment of being knocked out of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, they still have the FA Cup and the busy festive period to contend with.

David Flitcroft does not just need bodies to cope with the impact of injuries and tiredness, he also needs to ensure the spirit in the camp is right when the workload really increases.

By getting his players in early, they will have more time to gel.

In the case of new goalkeeper Scott Loach’s arrival, it also gives Flicker leeway to move Shwan Jalal out of the club.

The Bury boss made it quite clear three is a crowd when it comes to goalkeepers, and with Rob Lainton going back down to the bench on Tuesday night and Jalal missing from the squad for a second successive match the pecking order looks obvious.

It is important if Loach is to be Flitcroft’s man then he sticks with him, as chopping and changing goalkeepers only serves to destabilise the defence.

Every keeper does things differently and it takes time for them to build up an understanding with their defenders.

Experienced players like Pablo Mills and Jim McNulty, who were rocks at the tail end of last season and the start of this campaign, have had looked hesitant of late and the goalkeeping situation must be a factor.

For the first time on Tuesday night I saw real gaps between the back three, and not just when Bury were really chasing the game at the end.

So Saturday’s trip to Morecambe now takes on added importance.

Jim Bentley’s side have been a bit unpredictable at times on home turf, but the manager was at the JD Stadium for the Tranmere game and you can be sure he will have picked up on the areas they can put pressure on Bury.

So how quickly the defence and the new keeper can strike up an understanding will be key to the game and possibly the Shakers’ promotion campaign.