Morecambe boss Bentley: ‘Transfer deadline day? I was in bed at 10.30pm’

Transfer deadline day has turned into something of a sporting phenomenon.
The Morecambe bench share a joke ahead of the game at Northampton.The Morecambe bench share a joke ahead of the game at Northampton.
The Morecambe bench share a joke ahead of the game at Northampton.

Fans, players and managers alike have mixed views on the frenzy that surrounds the end of the August and January windows as clubs scramble to bring in players.

Supporters crowding reporters outside grounds is a long way removed from where Jim Bentley finds himself at the Globe Arena however with Morecambe the only League 2 club not to sign a player in January.

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But the Shrimps boss insists he will never sign someone simply for the sake of joining the merry-go-round.

File photo dated 02/09/11 of Gary Neville being interviewed by Sky Sports, the communications watchdog Ofcom could launch an investigation into Sky Sports News coverage of football transfer deadline day after viewers complained about fans swearing on camera. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Tuesday September 2, 2014. Reporters covering the day's events had to deal with crowds of rowdy supporters outside the grounds and had to apologise several times after foul-mouthed outbursts were broadcast live. See PA story MEDIA Deadline. Photo credit should read: Owen Humphreys/PA WireFile photo dated 02/09/11 of Gary Neville being interviewed by Sky Sports, the communications watchdog Ofcom could launch an investigation into Sky Sports News coverage of football transfer deadline day after viewers complained about fans swearing on camera. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Tuesday September 2, 2014. Reporters covering the day's events had to deal with crowds of rowdy supporters outside the grounds and had to apologise several times after foul-mouthed outbursts were broadcast live. See PA story MEDIA Deadline. Photo credit should read: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire
File photo dated 02/09/11 of Gary Neville being interviewed by Sky Sports, the communications watchdog Ofcom could launch an investigation into Sky Sports News coverage of football transfer deadline day after viewers complained about fans swearing on camera. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Tuesday September 2, 2014. Reporters covering the day's events had to deal with crowds of rowdy supporters outside the grounds and had to apologise several times after foul-mouthed outbursts were broadcast live. See PA story MEDIA Deadline. Photo credit should read: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire

He said: “I think it’s a big thing for the TV.

“If you look at Sky Sports News and they’re all wearing the yellow ties and all that.

“They love that and people are crowding round their teles to see who their team is signing.

“I understand our fans’ frustrations that we are the only club that haven’t signed anybody.

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“I could have got a player to come in no problem but at the end of the day if we are to do it we need players to come who are going to affect the first team.

“What signal does it send out if someone sits on the bench ahead of one of our own players who have been here in the system all year?

“We’re looking for the right players to come in and improve us.

“On transfer deadline day it does seem to be a bit of a mad scramble.

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“It’s like the end of the world and everyone is at the supermarket trying to stock up.

“It’s madness but people like it, it’s entertaining and Sky Sports are fantastic with what they do.

“But I was tucked up in bed by 10.30!”

Bentley’s focus now turns to the loan window which opened on Monday with the Shrimps boss understanding why the rules are in place.

He said: “There’s (managers) for and against the transfer window.

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“It you get to a cup final at the end of the season and start signing loads of players to improve you then I don’t think that would be fair.

“But it’s football in this day and age and the rules are there for a reason.”

Despite a lack of activity Bentley insists he is more than pleased with the squad he has at his disposal and the short-term signings he has made this season as Morecambe continue to flirt with the fringes of the play-offs.

He said: “I love my job and I think we’re doing alright.

“I just don’t know why when the transfer window comes round everyone is hellbent on saying, we’ve got to sign him or we’ve got to do that.

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“We’ve been a top half side this season with the squad that we’ve had.

“Tom Barkhuizen came in from Blackpool and did well and I thought he was coming good with the games he played.

“Scott Davies obviously came in and did well, as did Joe Widdowson.

“At this present moment in time if we go with we’ve got I’ve got 100 per cent belief in them.

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“I know where we need to improve, I know what we need to kick on and have had targets.

“It can get frustrating at times but it is what it is.

“I enjoy my job and the belief in the players is there.

“I’m hoping over the next few weeks we can kick on and get further up the table.

“We’ll see what happens in the loan window.”