Morecambe boss Bentley keen to hit first target

The Shrimps’ third draw in a row, 1-1 at Cheltenham on Friday night, took them to within four points of 40 ahead of the trip to Plymouth on Saturday.

Bentley, who remains frustrated in his attempts to bring in new players in the January transfer window, said: “It’s important that we get there as soon as we can.

“I set the lads targets before the Stevenage game about what I want and what we need to kick on.

“If we can get the points on the board the pressure comes off you a little bit.

“We’re looking okay and we want to get to 40 points and then start looking at 50.

“We want to stay in and around the play-offs and want to be looking up rather than down.

“We’re not blessed to be able to go out and sign players to inject something into the squad but I’ve got an honest chairman who works his backside to do what’s right by the club.

“Sometimes if it’s not there, it’s not there but we’ve got a decent group, an honest group, who are giving it their all.”

The Shrimps don’t have fond recent memories of trips to Plymouth with last year’s 5-0 reverse plunging Bentley’s side into a relegation battle.

The Morecambe boss however insists the game is in the past and is focussing on turning solid defensive displays into victories.

The Shrimps have drawn their last three in an unbeaten run of four with Argyle without a win in five themselves.

Bentley said: “That (the 5-0 defeat) is last year.

“We’ve got plenty of different faces in the group now.

“We’re in decent form and are a difficult nut to crack.

“We just want to improve in the final third. We’re creating chances but we’re not hitting the target enough.

“We’ve got to keep working hard and we’ve got the players to put the ball away.

“It’s something to build on.

“Plymouth have dipped recently and are struggling with injuries but they’re a big club and it will be a tough game.

“They’ve got good players so it’ll be a challenge but it’s one we’re looking forward to.”