Mark Stimson and the Barnet squad are hoping to "kick start" their season with a good League 2 result against Bury at Underhill tomorrow.

Winger Mark Marshall tried to put the gloom following last week's 7-0 defeat at Crewe Alexandra into perspective when he said: "There are 43 games to play - we must stay optimistic".

Midfielder Glen Southam said: "We aim to wipe the slate clean against Bury. It's all about three points tomorrow".

There are still 129 points to play for and the manager said: "Last Saturday's unacceptable result and performance is gone and apologies have been made.

"We have spent all this week, including Sunday, working hard to get our season going. Everyone is in a positive frame of mind; the players have shown the right attitude and have responded in the right way".

First team coach Michael Stone revealed that the players spent four hours at The Hive on Sunday watching a DVD of the previous day's defeat. They defended goalkeeper Jake Cole against some harsh criticism; "he made one fantastic save", said Stimson.

Stimson said there were likely to be "a few changes" to the side following Crewe but does not want to give the opposition knowledge by naming names.

Joe Devera resumed full training this week after missing three games through injury and his fitness will be assessed before the team is announced tomorrow. Glenn Poole, who had to be helped off at Crewe with severe bruising, could also be in contention tomorrow.

Stimson welcomed Dagenham & Redbridge striker Phil Walsh - "who I am sure we will see adding his considerable physical presence to the Barnet attack in the remaining period of his loan spell with us".

Stimson said that there was a lot of work going on behind the scenes with trialists with a view to bolstering the squad. Seven trialists played for the Bees in a behind-closed-doors match against Dagenham & Redbridge on Tuesday - and one of them, an unnamed striker, scored one of Barnet's two goals in a 3-2 defeat. His name is not being mentioned because of interest from other clubs.

The manager added: "We are all looking forward to a day off with a good result against Bury".

Dennis Signy