Morecambe boss Bentley well aware of Akinfenwa threat

Morecambe boss Jim Bentley knows all about the threat posed by Adebayo Akinfenwa.
AFC Wimbledon's Adebayo Akinfenwa scores against Liverpool. Picture: Adam Davy/PA Wire.AFC Wimbledon's Adebayo Akinfenwa scores against Liverpool. Picture: Adam Davy/PA Wire.
AFC Wimbledon's Adebayo Akinfenwa scores against Liverpool. Picture: Adam Davy/PA Wire.

The 16-stone AFC Wimbledon front man, well known to lower league fans, became something of a national celebrity after playing and scoring against Liverpool in the Dons’ FA Cup third round defeat.

Bentley has had battles with the 32-year-old himself down the years and knows his defenders will be in for a tough afternoon at the Globe Arena on Saturday.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Shrimps boss said: “He’s a good player at this level and I’ve had a few battles with him myself.

“He’s different, he’s strong as an ox, has got goals in him, leads the line well and he’s one of the players we’re going to have to keep quiet. 
“Since the Liverpool game he’s seemed to get more attention than the game himself which is mad.

“He’s a good character, he’s doing well for them and is one of the better strikers at this level.

“He’s certainly different and it will be a tough task for our defenders to keep him quiet.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Akinfenwa’s strike partner from the first half of the season Matt Tubbs has moved to Portsmouth but Bentley has been impressed with the replacements brought in.

He said: “He’s gone to Portsmouth but they’ve gone out and got David Connolly, they’ve just signed Alfie Potter, they’ve got (Adebayo) Azeez who is a player I rate as well and they’ve got a young lad in from Reading (Craig Tanner).

“They’ve got good options and have got Akinfenwa so I’m sure they won’t struggle for goals for the rest of the season.

“If you lose the top scorer it can hit you but they’ve certainly got ideal replacements.”