Transfers, training and results: Jim Bentley reveals his frustration

Frustration is the word of the moment for Morecambe boss Jim Bentley.
Morecambe boss Jim Bentley.Morecambe boss Jim Bentley.
Morecambe boss Jim Bentley.

Whether is be training, transfers or recent results it’s been far from straightforward for the struggling Shrimps in recent weeks.

On the field Bentley’s men have picked up just one point from their last five League 2 games ahead of high-flying Oxford visiting the Globe Arena on Saturday.

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Bentley insists results don’t tell the whole story however.

He said: “Whether it’s performances, results or training - frustration is the word.

“Our performances are not matching the results we’ve picked up.

“Certainly the two games against Mansfield for me, that should be at least four points (The Shrimps lost both 2-1).

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“If you look over the last four games a fair return would be eight points, possibly 10 even.

“We drew against Portsmouth and that was the only fair result. We could have arguably won the others.

“But you don’t always get what you deserve and that’s been the case recently.”

Preparations haven’t been helped with The Shrimps barely able to use their Morecambe High School base due to the recent wet weather.

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The likes of Alex Kenyon, Ryan Edwards, Lee Molyneux and Aaron Wildig did however get a run-out in the 5-2 reserve defeat at Wrexham on Wednesday.

Bentley said: “I’m also frustrated because we’ve barely trained on grass for the last two months because of the weather.

“We’ve got a few lads who can’t go on the astroturf so it’s very difficult because the group’s been split up.

“Thankfully there was a reserve team game yesterday which a lot of the lads needed.

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“Although that pitch was borderline playable it was good for them to get into match action even if the result wasn’t great. It was about minutes on the pitch.

“We’ve also got one or two other lads who have been struggling with knocks recently so the lack of a Tuesday night will do them the world of good to have a little more time to recover.”

Off the field, Bentley wants to bring in some fresh faces having added Burnley left back Luke Conlan and Manchester United goalkeeper Kieran O’Hara on loan in January.

With the emergency loan window open The Shrimps boss is also looking at players with one eye on next season but finances are proving to be a stumbling block.

He said: “I’d like to bring a couple in.

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“I’ve done it over the last four seasons where I’ve brought players in to have a look at them ahead of next season.

“But finances are tight so it’s not possible.

“Unless anyone goes no-one will be coming in.”