IT'S the result and not the performance that is everything tomorrow when Bury take on high-flying Swansea City at Gigg Lane (3pm).
It seems light years away from the optimistic opening game of the season in August when Brian Flynn's side were flattered by a 4-2 win at the Vetch Field.
In sub-tropical temperatures new chairman Albert Doweck watched player-boss Andy Preece grab a first half goal but this time around neither will be at Gigg Lane tomorrow for the season's turnaround clash.
An eight game losing sequence is hanging over the club like the Sword of Damocles and the players have been working hard all week to ensure that run comes to a long overdue end.
Meanwhile, caretaker-boss Graham Barrow's hopes of adding to his squad with a loan signing this week have fallen by the wayside.
He is desperate to bring in an experienced centre back to shore up a leaky defence but his target, Hull City's John Anderson, picked up a calf strain in the reserves on Tuesday evening.
Barrow saw the 31-year-old former Morton and Livingston player as just the kind of experienced hand to marshall the back line.
"It's a big pity about John because he fitted the bill exactly for us," he said.
"It's doubtful we'll get anyone else in time for the Swansea game.
"We've made loads of enquiries and still have one or two irons in the fire but we have no margin for error.
"Because of our situation we are restricted to only three more loan deals so it's got to be the right one for us.
"There is big pressure on because a wrong signing makes it one less option we have."
Swansea's 0-0 draw against league leaders Oxford United in midweek fired them back into the play-off places.
And it's not lost on Barrow that this time last year the clubs' circumstances were completely reversed.
"It shows how the game can change in a short space of time," he added.
"This time last year we were flying and they were struggling at the bottom of the table.
"But Brian Flynn has transformed things and that's good management, although he has been given time and a bit of money to spend.
"He's strengthened them in the right areas bringing in the likes of leading scorer Lee Trundle who he brought from his former club Wrexham."
Yet Barrow can be forgiven for looking longingly at one familiar face on the Swans' teamsheet - former Shaker Lennie Johnrose.
The battle-hardened midfielder left Gigg after a short spell midway through last season and was part of the galvanising job that kept Flynn's side in the Football League in the Spring.
"Looking at it now, maybe he left our club a bit too soon," he said.
"He's certainly the kind of lad we need here now and that was the reason Flynny took him down there."
On loan striker John Daly looks certain to make his home debut after making his debut in last weekend's defeat at Lincoln City.
Barrow believes the powerful young Irishman can set an example to some of his players with his robust, physical approach and offers the team something different up front.
Meanwhile winger Simon Whaley got through 60 minutes in the reserves 4-2 defeat at the hands of Oldham on Wednesday evening and didn't feel any reaction in training yesterday.
"This will be a tough game but at least you know you will be in a football match with Swansea," added Barrow.
"As far as I am concerned the result is more important than the performance but if we get both that's great.
"We need to bring this poor run to an end, everyone at the club does because the longer it goes on the worse it gets."
Two of the club's promising youngsters have stepped up into the first team ranks.
Dave Buchanan and Daniel Douglas-Pringle, both 18, have received rave reviews for their performances in the reserves and according to Barrow they fully deserve their chance to make the rise to the first team.
"Both of them have done really well and have forced themselves into contention," he said.
"Daniel is a real livewire up front while Dave, who captains the youth team, is a busy midfielder."
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