Jim Bentley: Fans need to be patient with Morecambe's young guns

Morecambe boss Jim Bentley has called for fans to give his young side their full support after their opening day defeat at Grimsby.
Aaron McGowan under pressure at Grimsby on Saturday. Picture: Duncan YoungAaron McGowan under pressure at Grimsby on Saturday. Picture: Duncan Young
Aaron McGowan under pressure at Grimsby on Saturday. Picture: Duncan Young

The Shrimps travel to Rotherham United in the first round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday night with Bentley looking for a response from his side after their 2-0 reverse at Blundell Park.

He has warned fans however that they may need to show some patience and do their bit to back his inexperienced players.

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The Shrimps chief, beginning his sixth year in charge, fielded four debutants in the Grimsby defeat with one of his youngest ever back fours and the manager says his side will need the support of all fans over the coming weeks as the youngsters gain experience.

Bentley said: “We have a lot of inexperienced lads in our side and they will have to make sure they learn from each experience and learn quickly in League 2.

“They are good players but young players lack a bit of know-how at this level and we saw that on Saturday.

“We knew it was going to be tough against a side on their first day back in the Football League and when we went a goal down after just six minutes it really gave us an uphill task.

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“We looked nervy and edgy and at sixes and sevens at times and we made some wrong decisions at both ends of the pitch but the lads gave their all and they will benefit hugely from the experience.

“There was positives and we there were turning points in the game where things could have made a difference.

“Tom Barkhuizen had a great chance to level at 1-0 and their free-kick, although it was a world-class effort, was taken 10 yards further than the foul took place.

“When they went down to 10 men we had a couple of chances to get in but made some wrong decisions and we can’t complain about the result at the end of the day.”

New signing Dean Winnard missed the season opener with a knee injury while Aaron Wildig was forced off at half-time after a heavy challenge.