ANDY Preece is determined his Shakers players are going to prove the doubters wrong.

The Bury boss has been stung by media pundits who have tipped his side for relegation on the eve of the new campaign.

He's well aware that people in the game don't fancy the club's chances of holding onto their Second Division status.

And that's just the kind of talk he hopes will rally his men into a formidable force this season.

"Inside the club we believe we can finish in the top half and, if we stay injury-free, there's no reason why we can't push for the play-offs," he said.

"But on the outside we're being tipped for relegation.

"John Duncan said on Sky TV that he thought we would go down along with Rotherham, Swansea and Cambridge.

"And I think some of our fans would be happy for us to finish mid-table again but that's not the way we're looking at it - we have to be positive.

"There are quality players in the club who have played at a higher level than this and young lads with a lot of promise.

"We're confident of doing well but it's vital to get a good start. If you looked at the table after the first ten games last season there wasn't a lot of difference to how things finished."

Preece takes his squad to Cambridge United tomorrow for the season's curtain-raiser and they will be hell-bent on revenge after a traumatic 3-0 defeat at the Abbey Stadium back in April.

In a disastrous first half the Shakers had Lutel James and Paul Reid sent off and were three goals behind at the interval after being out-muscled by the U's and on the receiving end of some bewildering decisions from referee Graham Laws.

It was a bad-tempered night that will be fresh in the minds of the Bury players and they will be keen to settle the score with a three point haul.

"We know what to expect from Cambridge after they did the double over us last year," said Preece.

"It's going to be a difficult game and they beat a lot of the top side at home last season.

"It will be a test of whether we have progressed over the summer and hopefully we'll get a good start with a draw or win."

The Shakers will definitely be missing defender Matt Barrass at the Abbey, he is still suffering from a mystery virus and is waiting on blood test results.

His symptoms are similar to those of glandular fever, a malaise that could see him sidelined for months, but hopefully that won't be the prognosis.

Preece must also wait on Ady Littlejohn, Dean Crowe and Jason Jarrett who have knocks but all are expected to be fit for tomorrow.

The Bury boss has been delighted with the team's pre-season preparations and now can't wait to get into the cut and thrust of the new campaign.

"I know what my starting eleven will be and there are sure to be some disappointed players because everyone's done really well," he said.

"But they can take positives from the fact that they are putting pressure on the players who are picked.

"I'm happy with the competition for places in all positions. No-one will have an easy ride."