Barry Roche: We've got to be realistic this season

Stalwart Barry Roche believes Morecambe need to be realistic about their prospects this season.
Barry Roche.Barry Roche.
Barry Roche.

The Shrimps stopper insists Jim Bentley’s side will be doing all they can to finish as high as they can but knows it is going to be tough going this time around.

Plenty of clubs have been splashing the cash while Bentley has been left to wheel and deal more than ever ahead of the club’s 10th season in the Football League.

Roche said: “Success is staying in the division.

“You’ve got to be realistic about things.

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“You look at some of the clubs and some of the spending, it far outweighs anything we can possibly hope to compete with in terms of playing budgets.

“The fact that we’ve stayed in the league for nine consecutive seasons is a feat in itself and we’ll be looking to continue that run this time around.

“Having said that we’ll obviously be looking to finish as high as possible and if we can get into the top half that would be great.

“And if you do find yourselves in the top half towards the back end of the season then you’ve got to look at the next step which is the play-offs.

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“First and foremost we need to get to that usual 50-52 point mark to stay in the division.”

Roche is hoping it is going to be a season of celebration as the club build towards the 10th anniversary of the win over Exeter at Wembley that saw them promoted to the Football League for the first time in their history back in 2007.

He arrived at the club from Chesterfield 12 months later so knows all about Morecambe’s time in League 2.

The Irish ‘keeper said: “It’s a fantastic achievement.

“With us getting in the play-offs all those years back and a couple of years ago not finishing far outside the play-offs it does raise 
expectations.

“Don’t get me wrong we are obviously hoping to finish as high as possible, hopefully the play-offs, but you do have to be realistic.

“Our first aim is safety.”