Bentley: Pressure is all on the Seasiders

The Shrimps make the short trip to the Fylde coast on the back of an impressive 1-1 draw at Portsmouth during the week – a result that keeps them well in contention for the play-offs.

Morecambe’s recent run of form has been nothing short of miraculous given the turmoil Bentley has had to face off the pitch with wages having been paid late twice this season amid questions over who actually owns the club.

Bentley says Morecambe, who are currently one place above Blackpool in the table in 14th, are under no pressure to get a result as they have no expectations.

“That’s a big game for us and it’s a mouthwatering proposition because the pressure isn’t on us, it’s on Blackpool,” Bentley said.

“They are a massive name at this level with their squad size, so everything is stacked against us.

“However, we’ve put ourselves in a position where we can have a right good go and then we’re looking at the last quarter of the season and thinking we have to play the four worst away teams in the division at home.”

The transformation at the Globe Arena has been incredible since Christmas, with the Shrimps having only lost one of their last 11 matches.

After a truly awful Autumn which saw Bentley’s players set an unwanted club record of seven straight home league defeats, 2017 has been nothing short of spectacular, with Barnet the only side to have taken three points from the Shrimps so far this year.

“If you get teams below you then you can start to cut them adrift which we have since the turn of the year,” Bentley said.

“With 19 players, poor training facilities and the lowest budget, I think everyone expects Morecambe will do well to finish third from bottom.

“We had a poor January transfer window when we were only able to bring in Michael Duckworth so, to be where we are, everyone deserves a massive pat on the back.

“The board and the staff have been superb, the players have been great, the fans have been great and the community has got behind the club which is the way it should be.

“The results have been good, and if we can manage to put a bit of daylight between us and the teams below us, we can start to catch those teams who are above us in the table.”