INDIAN international Baichung Bhutia has claimed that Bury are not scared of playing at home.

Former Liverpool boss Roy Evans, now in charge at Swindon Town, suggested that the Shakers home form is suffering because they are affected by the moaners and groaners in the Gigg Lane crowd.

That statistic appears to be backed up by the fact the Shakers have lost three home matches on the trot.

But Bhutia, like his manager Andy Preece previously, has poured scorn on the claims.

"There's been a lot of talk around the town about the crowd's reaction to the team in our last match, the 3-0 home defeat to Swindon," said Bhutia.

"From a player's point of view, it's something you can do without, but I understand why they booed us. It was more to do with the last two results than anything.

"They're just concerned about the way we're playing at the moment. We've lost all three games we've played at Gigg Lane this season, but we don't fear playing in front of our own fans.

"We still feel confident about performing at home, but we do need a result otherwise confidence might become a problem for the players. There's no pressure on us though.

"It's still early in the season, we're working hard in training and the players are doing all they can to bring about a change in fortune.

"We're just looking ahead to the next match because winning that will get our confidence back."

Confidence is the word of the moment at Gigg Lane.

The team know they have the ability to play well - see Tranmere on the opening day of the season - but they need the confidence to go out on the pitch and prove their worth.

The next chance to do that arrives on Saturday when the Shakers take on Wigan Athletic in what promises to be a hard-fought local derby, with both teams needing three points to take the pressure off.

"We've got a lot of hard work ahead of us before Saturday's visit of Wigan Athletic," acknowledged Bhutia. "Having lost our last four games in all competitions it's very important that we end that run.

"We had a great start to the season, winning at Tranmere, but we haven't been able to build on that in terms of results and we know the only way to put that right is by sticking together." By Steve Canavan