Morecambe boss Bentley: Newport game no gimme

Morecambe boss Jim Bentley insists Saturday’s trip to Newport County will be no gimme.
Morecambe boss Jim Bentley and his assistant Ken McKenna.Morecambe boss Jim Bentley and his assistant Ken McKenna.
Morecambe boss Jim Bentley and his assistant Ken McKenna.

The Exiles are bottom of League 2 with just one point to their name this season while The Shrimps will be looking for a fourth straight win in all competitions.

Most observers think Bentley’s men will have too much for Terry Butcher’s strugglers but the Morecambe manager has briefed his side to expect a tough challenge against a team scrapping for every point.

Bentley said: “There’s no easy games in the division.

People will just expect us to turn up at Newport and win.

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“They’ve had a difficult spell, only got one point so far and they’ve just been beaten last time out comfortably by York at home.

“But we’re not just going to win with ease. It’s not like that.

“We’re expecting a very difficult game.

“I’ve said it all the time I’ve been a manager. Anyone is capable of beating anyone else.

“No-one expected us to go to Portsmouth and get a three-goal lead that could have been four and five.

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“We want to go to Newport and put a show on again and keep playing the way we’re playing.

“You never underestimate anyone though, everyone deserves respect on the day.

“If we’re professional and do ourselves just then we’ll give ourselves a very good chance of winning the game.”

Morecambe have made their traditional fast start under Bentley and sit fifth in the League 2 ahead of the trip to Rodney Parade.

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The Shrimps have however then faded after Christmas in recent years with questions already being asked about whether they can keep up their early promise this time around and make a sustained push for the play-offs after last season’s 11th-placed finish.

Bentley however is focusing on Saturday and refusing to get drawn into the bigger picture as his free-scoring side turn heads.

He said: “I think it’s important that you just go game-to-game and don’t look too far ahead.

“I’ve learnt that when you do look too far ahead that’s when you get your backside spanked.

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“You’ve got to make sure that when every game comes round you do your homework and work hard.

“That’s what we’ve been doing with Newport.

“It’s a big game for us and if we can win it we’ll move onto the next one. That’s all we can do.

“Everyone wants consistency, everyone wants to win games and all we can concentrate on is the next game.”