Coleman backs good mate Bentley to turn it around at Morecambe

Accrington Stanley boss John Coleman has backed good mate Jim Bentley to turn things around at Morecambe ahead of the two doing battle in the Lancashire derby on Saturday.
John Coleman and Jim Bentley will do battle again on Saturday.John Coleman and Jim Bentley will do battle again on Saturday.
John Coleman and Jim Bentley will do battle again on Saturday.

The Shrimps have endured a terrible 2016 but are all but clear of the threat of relegation in 19th ahead of the trip to the Wham Stadium.

Stanley on the other hand are in the final automatic promotion spot in third as they look to finish off a memorable season.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Coleman told Stanley’s official website: “Everyone knows my affinity for Morecambe.

“I had my most successful playing days there, I have a lot of friends there and I feel for Jimmy and his assistant Kenny (McKenna).

“I know how much effort they put into the job, how much hard work they do and they are passionate people who take it personally when they have not had the best of runs.

“It’s not about budgets but it obviously affects the squad you can assemble and they, like us, are one of three teams which have the lowest budget in the league at the start of the season and two teams go down.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We have had the season of our lives and it doesn’t mean they should be having the season of their lives as well. You can’t beat Jim and Kenny with a stick because we are doing well.

“I think people sometimes lose sight of the fact that, for clubs like Accrington and Morecambe, it’s an achievement to stay up. I know we don’t say that but in football you have to keep your feet on the ground and expectations real.

“I urge the Morecambe fans to realise what they have got in having Jim and Kenny in charge. You will never find two people committed to Morecambe and they should realise that fact.”