A SHAKE-UP sounded likely against The Shakers, listening to Gary Waddock’s comments in the immediate aftermath of the defeat to Notts County last weekend.

“Certain players need to respond. If players are not prepared to listen and learn then maybe it’s time for a change,” said Waddock, with a calm fury that no doubt had his squad quaking on the trip back from Nottingham, ahead of an extra day’s training on Sunday.

But, come the game on Saturday against those Shakers — Bury — perhaps Waddock won’t make the changes he suggested. His criticism of his squad was not at the way they had played for most of the match but at the two goals conceded, especially Richard Butcher’s injury-time winner.

And, once the dust had settled, Waddock was more reflective on the defeat, which left The Shots in seventh, five points behind Bury.

“I just felt it was time to address the silly goals after last Saturday,” said Waddock, speaking earlier this week.

“I was very frustrated after the game but when I spoke to the players on Sunday it was in a calm atmosphere. We move on and the County game is now history.

“Come Monday’s training everything was back to normal and our attention turned to preparing for Saturday’s match with Bury.”

So, will there be changes to the line-up against Bury? Waddock has a good face for poker and is seldom one to reveal his cards. “Martin Kuhl and I know that we have a few lads waiting in the wings, who are frustrated not to have played much this season.

“But you also have to consider that do the players who were involved last Saturday deserve a chance to put things right?

“Martin and I have been talking about it all week and will talk some more and then pick the team that we think is right to go for the three points against Bury.”

Waddock said straight after the County match that ‘Junior Osborne was the one player to come out of the game with a lot of credit.’

But he was less critical of the rest of his side later in the week. “Yes, Junior Osborne did extremely well last Saturday,” said Waddock. “I thought Dean Howell was good too. The two of them are new to the club and all players need time to settle in but they look like they have settled in and are beginning to play in the style we want.

“But my anger on Saturday was nothing to do with the way we played as a whole in the game. That hasn’t been the problem; we have started the league campaign fairly well. But we have let points slip, too often.

“We are all keen to progress and push forward. The players were just as upset after the game on Saturday as me, Martin and the rest of my staff.

“No one here is content to relax. I have seen that the players were bitterly disappointed too and are determined to put things right.

“Everyone here wants to be a success. That we are not happy with being in a fairly good position in the league, is a good sign.

“The point last week is that while we are always very positive, there are moments in games when the players must learn to take a point.

“That is not a negative approach, it is a professional one.

“We will concede late goals again. It is bound to happen. But it’s been happening in a batch of games recently and it needed addressing. The players must learn.”

Players are certainly under pressure for their places. That said, Waddock has few options in defence, with Rhys Day and Dave Winfield injured and Ricky Newman completing a three-match ban. Anthony Straker is the only available defender in the wings and he is unlikely to replace Howell - but could, conceivably, be used on the left of midfield.

Further forward, Waddock does have alternatives. Lewis Chalmers and Scott Donnelly are pushing hard for recalls, with Ben Harding and Kirk Hudson the two most vulnerable.
 
But, will Waddock want to sacrifice Hudson’s pace? Waddock may even choose to use that speed in a different, more central attacking role.

And, given that Aldershot are at their very best when Harding plays well, will dropping the key midfielder help or hinder him to rediscover his best form?

Up front, Waddock has had Danny Hylton champing at the bit all season and maybe Saturday will be the day is he given his chance.

While John Grant’s scoring record so far this season is poor, he was a far greater goal threat against County than Marvin Morgan, who has struggled in the last two games, and conceded far too many free-kicks.

Grant and Hylton played well together at times last season but, then again, it is only a month or so ago that Morgan was winning rave reviews for terrorising opposition defences.

The bottom line is that no one’s place is safe under Waddock. Not even ‘keeper Nikki Bull’s, whose typically superb shot-stopping at County was not always matched by his command of his six-yard box. But wholesale changes on Saturday are unlikely.

Waddock did, however, have words of encouragement for the likes of Hylton and Rob Elvins, who await their chance. As does Junior Mendes, if he could only shake off a number of niggles, which continue to set him back, even if he did come through a half in the Reserves' 2-2 draw at Lewes on Wednesday evening.

“There are some frustrated players in the squad, like Danny and Rob, but I can assure them their chance will come,” said Waddock. “But, when it does, they must take it.”

As for Bury, Alan Knill’s side arrive at The Rec unbeaten in the league, with five wins to their name. They have been held twice away, however, at Rochdale and Chester.

Given that Aldershot have recently seen off the best Yorkshire has to offer — Bradford City — and County Durham — Darlington — then there is no reason why they can’t do the same to Lancashire’s Bury.

The Shakers have had the luxury of fielding a very settled side this season and have the likes of Efe Sodje, the charismatic defender, and Paul Scott, at right back, as an experienced rearguard.

Brian Barry-Murphy pulls the strings in the middle, while, up front, Andys Bishop and Morrell have both been among the goals.

“Saturday should be a great game,” said Waddock, whose side have lost just once in the league at home since August 2007.
 
“They are the league leaders and our home record is good. But that record counts for nothing,” said Waddock.

“We just need to make sure we keep progressing, to improve all the time.”

Kick-off at The EBB Stadium is at 3pm on Saturday.