“We gave them a real good blast in training on Monday and Tuesday”: Morecambe players urged to respond after heavy defeat
Jim Bentley is desperate for Morecambe to take something from their next two games after the club’s survival bid took a turn for the worse in midweek.
The Shrimps welcome Eastleigh to the Mazuma Mobile Stadium on Saturday, having fallen nine points from safety in the National League after Sutton United’s win against Woking on Tuesday.
Eastleigh’s visit is followed by next Wednesday’s trip to bottom club Gateshead, who ended a run of 16 consecutive defeats in all competitions with victory at FC Halifax Town on the same evening.
Morecambe, for their part, haven’t won in the last 10 with Bentley overseeing two points from a possible 12 since his return as manager.
“We could be doing with taking points from the next two matches,” he acknowledged.
“The next game is always the most important one, which is obviously Eastleigh, and we need to bounce back from last weekend (the 5-1 loss at Southend United).
“There were some good signs early doors against Altrincham, for three-quarters of the game against Truro and most of the game against Tamworth.
“Southend, however, was a wake-up call. We gave them a real good blast in training on Monday and Tuesday before getting into the work on Thursday and Friday.
“There’s an awful lot to do, both in terms of what I have to do as manager and what the club has to do behind the scenes.”
Bentley brought in defender Kyle Jameson last weekend and has been given the green light to make further signings.
That is proving easier said than done, while Bentley also awaits an update on Miguel Azeez’s future amid interest from Carlisle United.
“The board have said I can go and get players in,” he added.
“At this stage though, a lot of clubs won’t let their players out, so you’re looking at Under-21 players who are a big risk because you might get a good one – but you might get a poor one.
“Then there are lads who have been out of the game, who haven’t played any football since last season, but then they’ve got to get up to speed.
“I spoke to a couple of lads on Wednesday and that’s all I can do at the minute.”