Jim Bentley: This is my most testing time as a manager

Jim Bentley has admitted Morecambe's poor recent run is his "most testing time as a manager".
Jim Bentley, right, and assistant Ken McKenna at the Memorial Stadium on Saturday. Picture: Matt RushtonJim Bentley, right, and assistant Ken McKenna at the Memorial Stadium on Saturday. Picture: Matt Rushton
Jim Bentley, right, and assistant Ken McKenna at the Memorial Stadium on Saturday. Picture: Matt Rushton

The Shrimps boss is approaching five years in the Globe Arena hotseat but has seen his side lose six of their last seven in League 2, picking up just one point of the last 21 available.

Bentley doesn't feel his side have played particularly badly but knows results are what he will be judged on with red cards, missed penalties and countless errors costing The Shrimps dear.

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He said: "I don't think we've played badly since the turn of the year.

"But results are the be all and end all and we haven't got them. The only team that's deserved to beat us so far in 2016 is Northampton and all the other games have been very tight.

"We're getting punished for every error and there's been the odd little decision, we've missed penalties, it's endless really.

"It's my most testing time as a manager. It's so tough to take but I've just got to battle on.

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"It's never ending at the moment but football has a knack of when you're down there struggling of putting the boot into you."

Bentley has come under severe criticism from a section of supporters and knows ultimately that the buck stops with him.

He said: "I've always come out fighting and I'll be looking to the next challenge now.

"I don't think we've got a bad group. They're honest, they work hard, they give it their all in the games.

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"We've just got to cut out the little errors we're making and continue to create the chances we're creating.

"It's hard for me at the minute because I'm the leader of the group, I'm the focal point and I've got to make sure I come out with my chest out and I'll certainly do that.

"It's about riding through things through thick and thin and sticking together.

"But the way the game is if you can't win in seven games people are going to start asking questions of the manager and that's life."