Decision coming soon on Morecambe trialists

The Shrimps fielded eight trialists in last week’s victory at Bamber Bridge as well as eight more in the weekend’s mini-tournament with Blackburn Rovers and Bury.

Some of the trialists have staked their claim for a permanent deal with clean sheets at one end of the pitch and goals at the other.

With the new season only two-and-a-half weeks away, Bentley acknowledges the situation has to be sorted sooner rather than later – and within the finances made available to him.

“We will have to make decisions on them,” Bentley admitted.

“We’ve got a budget to work within and it’s about making sure we do what we can for the group with regards to what we’ve got available.

“Everyone who has come in has worked hard but we’ve still got to fill some positions and that’s what we’ve got to do.”

Pre-season has gone to plan so far for Bentley with three games yielding seven goals, three clean sheets and a lack of injuries.

The goals have been shared around with five different players finding the net so far.

It’s a habit the manager hopes continues when the season kicks off on August 6.

“We scored loads of goals last season but we’ve lost our top goalscorer (Shaun Miller) since then.

“As a result we have to make sure we chip in with those goals from all over the pitch.

“The forward players will have to score more goals, we need more goals from our midfield players and the defenders have to contribute as well.”

While the manager is happy with what he has seen going forward so far, he is equally as pleased with the other end of the pitch.

Three games have brought three clean sheets with a combination of senior and trialist defenders and keepers keeping their opponents at bay.

“We’ve worked on the defensive shape, so to see that pay off was pleasing,” Bentley said.

“However, we still have a lot to work on with our attacking and defensive play because everything we do is leading up to the first game at Grimsby Town but it’s a case of so far, so good at the moment.”