Bentley ready to rotate at Rochdale in JPT quarter-final

Jim Bentley is looking forwards to locking horns with Rochdale counterpart Keith Hill again.Jim Bentley is looking forwards to locking horns with Rochdale counterpart Keith Hill again.
Jim Bentley is looking forwards to locking horns with Rochdale counterpart Keith Hill again.
Morecambe boss Jim Bentley is ready to rotate his squad for the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Area Quarter-Final clash at Rochdale on Tuesday night.

The competition is much malligned but Bentley has always been an advocate and is desperate to lead The Shrimps to Wembley.

He is however ready to make changes against the League 1 side at Spotland believing his squad has plenty of strength in depth.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Bentley said: “The weather’s changed, the bookings are totting up, there’s been one or two players who have been doing really well but have dipped a little bit.

“We’ve got one or two injuries and one or two little niggles too.

“You can get stretched at this stage of the season. With a small squad it’s a big ask.

“We’ve got a massive month with regards to travelling times and that can take its affect.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We go into Tuesday’s game wanting to do well and wanting to win the game but there’ll be opportunties for others.

“I said at the start of the season it’s not as if now you leave one out and bring one in it’s going to weaken us.

“Our squad is decent and there’s scope to rotate a little bit and give one or two of the fringe players a run out.

“They’re chomping at the bit and might be physically and mentally better tuned at this stage of the season.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Bentley is still ready to rotate despite his side’s League 2 clash with Dagenham this Saturday being called off due to international call-ups for the visitors.

The two sides will however meet at the Globe Arena the following Tuesday having played out a forgettable 0-0 draw in the first round of the FA Cup on Saturday.

Bentley said: “We’ve lost the Dagenham league game but there’s a replay to come.

“We’ve got plenty of Saturday-Tuesday football to come.”

The Shrimps set up the Rochdale tie with impressive wins over Walsall and Bury.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Rochdale, 14th in League 1, were 2-1 victors over Chesterfield in the last round.

Keith Hill’s men were 3-1 winners over Swindon in the first round of the FA Cup on Saturday, ending a run of five games without a win.

News you can trust since 1837
Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice