BURY boss Graham Barrow has ruled out making wholesale changes to his squad during the close season.

With half of the current crop of Shakers' players out of contract in the summer, the Shakers manager will resist the temptation of having a mass clearout at the end of a disappointing year.

Barrow, and his assistant Kelham O'Hanlon, are under no illusions that personnel changes are vital if the club is to go forward next term, nevertheless some of the players whose contracts are up are sure to be offered extended deals.

And it's versatility that will be the watchword for 2004-2005, as the club is set to operate with a smaller first team squad.

With that in mind it seems likely that adaptable players like Lee Unsworth and Colin Woodthorpe - both free agents in the summer - could well be offered new contracts.

And performances of the kind they put in against Bristol Rovers at the weekend will have done both their chances of staying at Gigg a world of good.

"The league table doesn't lie, so there has to be change," said Barrow.

"But I don't want to be looking for eight or ten players with no money to play with.

"If we can bring in four or five that would be great.

"It's been proven that the team can be transformed by bringing in lads like Dave Challinor, Glen Whelan and Dave Flitcroft.

"Players that strengthen the spine of the team, make others around them play better, we want to bring in lads who are hungry.

"With a small group of players we'll want options to play a different way, so the ability to play in different positions is going to be important."

And Barrow has no qualms about operating with a reduced number of first teamers when the new season starts on August 7.

"I don't mind running a tighter ship," he explained.

"When you are successful you tend to only use about 16 or 17 players anyway."

Barrow expressed himself pleased with the form showed by his younger players on Saturday, with no fewer than five players aged 21 or under in the starting line-up.

Simon Whaley made his long-awaited full first team debut and the manager was impressed with his contribution.

"I thought he did well," he said.

"He can hurt players with his pace, he covers the first five yards very quickly and can be elusive.

"I thought he was unlucky not to score on Saturday and has a lot going for him.

"He's been unlucky with injuries and just needs nursing along.

"Jon (Cartledge) did well too, and he looked after a couple of good players on Saturday.

"We keep talking about putting kids in the team but the better ones are in the side already."

Barrow was also encouraged by the number of openings the Shakers created, despite not being able to pick up all three points.

"It wasn't like we were missing chances," he added.

"Their keeper made two or three good saves, we hit the crossbar a couple of times and had plenty on target."