Morecambe boss Jim Bentley: We are in a relegation battle

Having been on the fringes of the play-off picture for most of the season The Shrimps have lost eight of their last nine games, picking up just one point, meaning they are 18th in League 2, 10 points clear of the bottom two.

Bentley said: “You’d have to say we are (in a relegation battle) because of the form we’re in.

“Teams below us are starting to pick up points and the nature of the game is that if you’re not winning you’ll soon get dragged into it.

“It’s happened to us. We can’t hide from the fact it’s been a pretty dreadful few weeks with regards to results.

“I still stand by what I’ve said that the performances have been pretty decent and the lads are giving it their all.

“We’ve definitely deserved more than we’ve got from the performances that we’ve put in but football’s about results and there’s no hiding from the fact that things haven’t been good enough and we’re all under pressure now.

“It’s been a disastrous month or two but in football you can’t feel sorry for yourself.”

Despite the shocking run, Bentley insists spirits are still high at the Globe Arena with The Shrimps looking for a first win in 10 games at Crawley on Saturday.

He said: “The spirit is okay surprisingly.

“People will look at the results we’ve had and the run of form that we’ve been on and think it’s all doom and gloom.

“Someone asked me about how I pick the players up but they’re picking themselves up at the minute.

“They’ve got good character and good togetherness.

“I would be really worried if we were getting battered every week and not creating chances but we had 13 attempts at Luton.

“We need something to change that will get us that all important win that will kick us on.”

As well as morale being good Bentley also insists he has full confidence in his own ability to turn things round.

He said: “If we were one of the big boys, with a big squad, and were getting beaten three or 4-0 then I’d hold my hand up and say ‘yeah. I’ve not been good enough’.

“But I think with what we’ve got, the size of the club we are and the things that have gone against us that we’re doing what we can.

“We’re working hard and I’ve got confidence in my own ability.

“Life is about ups and downs and we’re having a shocker at the minute but it’s about everyone sticking together and remaining positive.”