Morecambe boss Bentley: Struggling Yeovil are on the up

Jim Bentley believes Morecambe will face a side on the up when Yeovil visit the Globe Arena on Saturday.
Morecambe were 4-2 winners at Yeovil earlier in the season.Morecambe were 4-2 winners at Yeovil earlier in the season.
Morecambe were 4-2 winners at Yeovil earlier in the season.

Darren Way has recently replaced Paul Sturrock as Glovers boss as the club, second from bottom of League 2, look to avoid what would be a third straight relegation having been in the Championship just two seasons ago.

They won their first League 2 game in 17 1-0 at home to York to start 2016 before drawing 2-2 with Carlisle last time out in the FA Cup, the prize for the winners being a home tie against Everton in round four.

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It all points to a side who are improving at a vital time, something Bentley is wary of.

The Shrimps boss, whose side play at home on Saturday in League 2 for the first time in 84 days this weekend, said: “They are struggling but we keep saying in this division any team is capable.

“Look at Yeovil were in a couple of years ago. They’ve still got people in the set up who played at a higher level.

“They’ve had a bit of a change around with the manager.

“Darren Way’s been in the system as a first team coach and stepped up and they got their first win in a while against York.

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“I watched them at Blackpool last Sunday against Carlisle and they are really battling. 
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“They’ve brought Darren Ward in an experienced centre half, (Francois) Zoko up front scored a fantastic header last week and knows the level inside out and was fantastic for Carlisle a couple of years ago before losing his way a bit. “They’ve got a couple of loan signings in including a young lad from Everton (Liam Walsh) I know well in midfield.

“I wouldn’t underestimate any team and especially one like Yeovil with the history they’ve got and where they’ve been over the last couple of years.

“They are down at the bottom of the league but a lot has changed over the last few months and you can’t underestimate anyone.”

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Bentley was left frustrated after Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw with Exeter as he side played on home soil for the first time since December 1.

In a tight game The Shrimps boss felt his side never really hit top gear, something which has been a familiar story at the Globe Arena this season.

Bentley, whose side won 4-2 in the reverse fixture in September, believes the stalemate puts added pressure on the game against the Glovers having set his players a target of seven points from the first three games of 2016.

He said: “It puts that little bit more pressure on us for Saturday.

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“I said to the lads before Wycombe if we can take seven points from the next three games that’ll be a decent return.

“We’ll have to be at our best on Saturday and probably like last Tuesday it’ll be a tight one.

“It’s one we’re looking to win though. We’re on our home turf and looking towards the Northampton game next weekend we could do with putting some points on the board because that will be a very difficult game.”