Bentley: Relegation battle a wake-up call for Wycombe

Morecambe manager Jim Bentley hands out instructions to Laurence Wilson during training.

Gareth Ainsworth’s side visit the Globe Arena on Saturday sitting second in League 2 having only avoided relegation on the final day of last season.

Bentley is ready for a tough test against a Chairboys side that has been bolstered by lower league stand outs such as former Scunthorpe striker Paul Hayes and ex-Accrington man Peter Murphy over the summer.

It is also a club Morecambe have never beaten in the Football League in 10 attempts with four draws and six Wycombe wins.

Bentley said: “I didn’t know the stat.

“These things are what they are, they throw themselves up in football.

“Wycombe are a good side. It seems last year they had a little bit of a wake up call after the relegation battle that went to the final day.

“It looked like they were down and out but they did brilliantly to stay up with that last day win.

“They’ve gone out and they’ve strengthened in the summer too.

“There’s a whole new back four, we know all about Peter Murphy in the middle of the park and they’ve got a centre forward (Hayes) who knows the level.

“They’ve got a nice blend of experience and young players who are full of running and energy like their manager is.

“They’ve got a never say die attitude, great work rate and desire and we know it will be a tough game for us.

“But it’s fantastic that in October we’re talking about Morecambe and Wycombe being in a top-five battle.”

On the injury front Alan Goodall looks set to continue to deputise at left back with Laurence Wilson and Joe Widdowson a week or two away from returning.

Andy Wright will miss out with a calf injury while Kevin Ellison and Andy Parrish have been struggling with illness.

Bentley said: “We’ve got a few niggles but we’re better equipped to deal with them this year.

“I thought Tom McCready came on and did well the other night on his debut and the young lads like Aaron McGowan and Chris Doyle have come in and proved that they can do a job.

“Hopefully things will clear up sooner rather than later though because we’ve got a big month coming up against some good sides.”