Morecambe won't be easing into the new season against Grimsby Town

Morecambe boss Derek Adams wants to hit the ground running as they begin the 2020/21 season tomorrow.
Morecambe boss Derek Adams   Picture: Morecambe FCMorecambe boss Derek Adams   Picture: Morecambe FC
Morecambe boss Derek Adams Picture: Morecambe FC

Twenty-six weeks after their last game – the 1-0 loss at Newport County AFC on March 7 – as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Shrimps are back in action.

Adams and his reshaped squad take the trip to Blundell Park for a Carabao Cup tie at Grimsby Town, their opponents on the first day of last season in August 2019.

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That is followed by an EFL Trophy group stage tie with Rochdale next Tuesday.

With two cup games being played before the league campaign gets underway a week tomorrow, there had been a theory clubs could use those as final preparation given the lack of pre-season matches.

Not for Adams, who hopes to guide the Shrimps into the second round of the cup for only the third time in seven seasons.

“It’s the first game of the season on Saturday and that’s how we’re approaching it,” he said.

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“It’s an opportunity for us to go to Grimsby and try to progress to the next round, so we’re going to try and win the match. That’s how you try to boost confidence and momentum, and it only enables the club to go forward.”

Tomorrow’s match comes five weeks to the day since the Shrimps embarked upon their pre-season training.

Football’s return following Covid-19 has meant a shorter than normal build-up.

In Morecambe’s case, they go into the campaign having only had three pre-season outings against Manchester United and Everton’s youngsters, as well as Workington.

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Nevertheless, Adams is refusing to dwell upon a less-than-ideal preparation and, if anything, has been encouraged by what he has witnessed.

“It’s been difficult for all clubs because of the coronavirus situation,” he said. “That’s made it difficult from the point of view of getting players back into training as well as getting enough games.

“That was always going to be the case for all clubs, not just ourselves.

“However, we have done really well in the games we have played.

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“I think we have been very competent in our play and the new players, with their blend of youth and experience, how quickly they have understood how we play has helped us in this short space of time.”

Nine players joined and 11 departed over the summer with two, Burnley loanees Ryan Cooney and Adam Phillips, back for a second stint.

Bringing that many new players up to speed can be tricky at the best of times, never mind in a shorter pre-season.

Adams added: “I like to change things around in the January and summer transfer windows.

“It’s always nice to have fresh blood coming into the team and that’s what we’ve done.”