CHRIS Casper has said he will keep his side guessing before swinging the axe for the visit of Shrewsbury on Saturday.

Visibly hurt by the defeat against Chester City, the Bury boss could easily have come out all guns blazing after a performance which he regarded as the worst during his 11-month spell in charge at Gigg Lane.

But Casper has learned from his mistakes, and was determined to present a cool exterior when the inquest began on Tuesday night.

Rather than the firebrand comments which followed some of last season's poor displays - memorably the 4-0 defeat at Carlisle United when some players were told they would "never play for the club again" -- Casper adopted a more calculated approach when thoughts turned to the Shakers' next game.

"It is an emotional time and I think it is the type of time to keep a lid on it and keep the lads guessing," said Casper.

"I have to keep a few things to myself, that's one thing I have learned.

"The Chester game was a worse performance than the Carlisle game last season, and we all know what I said after that.

"I have learnt a little to keep my comments to myself.

"I need to be a bit more reflective because I am hurting like you would never know."

With Tom Youngs, Matthew Tipton and Chris Brass all sidelined through injury, Casper's options were limited when it came to making changes after the defeat against MK Dons.

David Flitcroft was relegated to the bench and livewire youngster Nicky Adams was brought in to add some pace out wide.

Marc Pugh and David Buchanan entered the action during the second half and Casper was keen to exclude his younger players from the damning verdict he gave after the game.

Attitude, it seems to the Bury boss, is the root of current problems on the pitch and he has pledged to keep changing his side until he finds the right blend.

"We narrowly avoided relegation last year and I thought some of the players would have seen that as a new lease of life. But we have not got to grips with that yet," he said.

"I think there will be changes to the team for Saturday. I don't think I can say we will stay the same after a performance like that."

At least the omens would appear to be good for the Shakers after they completed the double over Saturday's opponents last season.

John Newby and Brian-Barry Murphy scored in a 2-0 victory at Gigg Lane in August and a second-minute Chris Hope own goal was enough to give Bury a vital victory at the tail end of the campaign.

Shrewsbury have drawn their last two games but could easily have six points in the bag, but for some controversial refereeing decisions.

A late winner was ruled out for offside in their midweek stalemate with Notts County, but signs are encouraging that they can at least match last season's 10th placed finish.

New signing Derek Asamoah, brought in from Lincoln City, has made a bright start at Gay Meadow, and will be out for his first goal for the Shropshire club.

The Ghanaian-born striker ended last season on a hot run of goalscoring form, rattling eight goals in 14 starts while on loan at Chester City.

It was this type of form which prompted Shrews boss Gary Peters to push the boat out, beating League One Scunthorpe United for his signature last week.

Midfielder Stuart Drummond (ankle) is a doubt, but Andy Cook (toe), Steve Hogg (ankle) and Glyn Hurst (Achillies) will definitely miss the trip to Gigg Lane.