Victory at Woking is all that matters for Jim Bentley’s relegation threatened Shrimps
Morecambe manager Jim Bentley admits his men have reached the point of no return in their quest to beat the dreaded drop.
The Shrimps boss knows his team will be relegated on Saturday if they fail to gain three points against Woking at Kingsfield Stadium.
Eight points from safety with just three games of their campaign left, Morecambe are hanging on to their National League status by their fingertips.
However, should they get the better of Jermain Defoe’s men, they may still have an outside chance of survival.
With sixth-bottom Aldershot Town entertaining Gateshead – who are one place above – this weekend, Morecambe know safety will potentially still be possible if they were to get the better of Woking.
Currently, the Shots are eight points ahead of the Shrimps, while the Tynesiders are nine ahead albeit with an inferior goal difference. Fifth-bottom Eastleigh are away to Altrincham while 17th-placed Sutton United travel to Carlisle United. The situation is further complicated by the fact that Aldershot have a game in hand.
Bentley refused to delve too deep into the ramifications of potential results this weekend, he said: “We have got to go to Woking and win, then weigh up the situation after that,” said Bentley. “We can’t worry about anyone else.
“We have to get our own house in order. It doesn’t matter what happens elsewhere unless we look after ourselves and that’s what we’ll be looking to do."
Bentley is looking forward to pitting his wits against former England international and ex-Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, Sunderland and Portsmouth striker Defoe.
The 43-year-old struck 294 goals in his long playing career and is looking to make his mark in management.
He was handed the reins at Woking late last month and has presided over a thrilling 3-3 draw against Eastleigh on Good Friday, before a forgettable 0-0 draw at Braintree Town on Monday.
"They are under new management in Jermain Defoe,” said Bentley said, who watched his team defeat Rochdale 4-2 and draw 2-2 with Carlisle over Easter
“He is looking to get his management career up and running so he’s destined to do well.
"They are in a healthy position in the top half of the league, we’re away from home so we know it’s going to be a tough game.
"But I am sure Woking’s management team will be saying to their players that they will have to be wary of us because we’re fighting for our lives.
“It’s got the making of being a good game.”
Bentley revealed a couple of his players are nursing knocks after the hectic Easter programme and goalkeeper Jamal Blackman could be available after missing the past few games.
"Jamal Blackman is close to being right which will be a big thing for us,” he added.