Jim Bentley: Another fast start easier said than done

The Shrimps traditionally race out of the blocks under their Wembley-winning skipper and last season won their first four games in a run that saw Bentley pick up the manager of the month award for August.

But with games against Accrington, Wycombe and Portsmouth to come after the season opener at Hartlepool on Saturday Bentley is bracing his squad and the fans for a tough start.

He said: “It would be nice to take 19 points from the first 12 games like we did last season or win the first four games and get top of the league and win manager of month, that would be ideal.

“But we’re playing against some tough, tough teams.

“Hartlepool had a bit of a wake-up call last summer and have invested.

“They’ve changed the squad around a bit after the new manager went in last year and did well so that will be a tough one.

“We all know how hard the Accrington game will be. We’ve got Wycombe coming early doors who were one of the surprise packages last year and strengthened again in the summer.

“And then there’s Portsmouth who are going to be one of the favourites if not the outright favourite.

“After that it’s Notts County and who knows what to expect from them after bringing in double figure additions.

“It’s a tough start.”