Festive season vital for Shrimps' survival chances

A successful Christmas period is vital to Morecambe's League Two survival chances, says boss Jim Bentley.
Morecambe's Liam Mandeville battles for possession with Lincoln City's Michael O'Connor during last weekend's League Two clashMorecambe's Liam Mandeville battles for possession with Lincoln City's Michael O'Connor during last weekend's League Two clash
Morecambe's Liam Mandeville battles for possession with Lincoln City's Michael O'Connor during last weekend's League Two clash

The Shrimps boss has become all too aware of the increasingly congested look at the bottom end of the division.

Macclesfield’s third win in recent weeks and Notts County’s recent revival means the points gap at the wrong end of the table is reducing, making every point vital.

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The Shrimps, like all other sides, face four games in nine days beginning, with a vital match against Cambridge United at the Globe Arena this Saturday and Bentley admits points are vital.

He said: “The Christmas time is always busy for all clubs and it is a week that can have a massive say on your season.

“We need to go into the games with confidence and produce the same kind of football that we showed for the majority of the game against Port Vale, when we were excellent for most of the game, only to be undone by a poor decision that still rankles with us all now.

“We are hoping to go into the games with more players available and that is a bonus.

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“Andrew Tutte, Aaron Wildig and Rhys Oates all look set to be at full fitness and ready, which is important as we will have to make a few changes in the games I’m sure.

“We’ve been hammered by injuries this year and hopefully there is light at the end of the tunnel because we will need everyone over the next week or so I’m sure.’’

The Shrimps kick off the period with a home game against a struggling Cambridge side who have recently sacked head coach Joe Dunne, with Colin Calderwood now at the helm.

“It is a game that Bentley is not taking for granted however.

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He said: “They may not have had a great start to the season but a quick look at their squad shows they have a lot of good players and we will have to be at our best.

“It is a big game for both clubs so should be a good match but the three points will be vital.’’