"I’m able to try things in a game": Morecambe goalscorer's tribute to management and team-mates
Miguel Azeez has thanked Morecambe’s staff and players for their backing as they look to follow up FA Trophy progress with three points in the National League this weekend.
The Shrimps travel to Brackley Town on Sunday (12pm), hunting back-to-back victories for the first time this season.
They go into the game third-bottom of the table but only three points behind their hosts, whom they defeated 2-0 at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium a month ago.
Azeez was suspended for that match, having been sent off at York City the previous weekend, but the 23-year-old has been one of the Shrimps’ principal attacking threats of late.
His goal in last weekend’s 3-0 Trophy win at Gateshead made it three in six matches for the former Arsenal youngster.
Speaking after that win, he told Morecambe’s website: “The gaffer told us to just have a positive mindset going into the game, to try and be as ruthless as possible, and I feel like we were really good in most aspects of the game – and I’m really happy that we were able to win.
“I’ve got a lot of trust from the coaching staff and the players as well, so it gives me a lot of confidence.
“I’m able to try things in a game. Even if things don’t go well, there’s always encouragement to keep going and it gives me a lot as a player, just to have that confidence to try and be me.”
Two goals in nine first-half minutes from Jack Nolan and George Thomas put the Shrimps in charge at Gateshead.
Azeez then wrapped up victory two minutes after the break, scoring directly from a corner as Morecambe booked their place in round four.
Asked about Morecambe’s ability to see out victory, Azeez added: “There’s been games where we had belief but then we let it slip, so it was about us being as mentally focused as possible, trying to see the game through and also to get the second and third goal, which was crucial.”
Morecambe have also confirmed that Boston United midfielder Arjan Raikhy will remain on loan with them for the rest of the season.
The 23-year-old, who joined the Shrimps in September, has played seven times but hasn’t featured since a late appearance against Brackley last month.