Barker remains realistic

The Shakers travel to take on League One leaders Charlton, three days after a chastening derby reverse against local rivals Rochdale.

Barker has drilled into his players - who remain surprise play-off contenders - the importance of bouncing back from a loss this term, but admits he may have to wait for a response on this occasion until Hartlepool visit Gigg Lane at the weekend.

"I've always said if you lose one game, don't lose two," Barker told the Manchester Evening News. "Without being negative we may just have to make an exception in this instance. But what we'll have to do is make sure it's not three straight defeats.

"Strange things do happen, but I was speaking to someone from Sheffield United after they lost 1-0 at Charlton last week, and they said Charlton are the best team without the ball in the division. They work extremely hard, they are very well disciplined and well drilled defensively.

"It may be a very different game to the Rochdale match in that we may be able to get the ball down and play - but if we go in with the same attitude we had at Spotland, we could be in for a long evening."