Jim Bentley's future

[Crazeenick]

I think the silence, and lack of reasoned argument from the "Jimouteers", speaks volumes , Jim has indeed worked wonders in appalling circumstances and hopefully long may that continue, the training situation was obviously a massive factor in both performances and injuries , and I think the canny work in January's window was more a case of Jim's hard work balancing the books than any extra investment, we have a much brighter season to look forward to next season if the owners now back him with more finance, and and should offer him a well deserved contract extension.

Well said MPH - fully agree.

Not sure any other manager would want the job, and even if they did - they would not do any better than Jim does with the finances and resources available.

I think the training facilities issue is a major one, as evidenced by the stronger finish to the season. Assuming we can continue to use Lancaster Uni for training, I think we will do better next season, even if we do lose one or two of our better players. Jim always does well in the transfer/loan market annd always unearths one or two gems.

In Jim we trust!!

[Seasider9601]

jim need to go. we need to move don't battles against relegation again. sorry he need to go at end of the season.

What absolute nonsence. The guy is a MIRACLE worker.

the old oldham manage any onne could

Paul Scholes ???

#InJimWeTrust

[thenorm]

I remember the time when we reached the play off and got whacked 6-0 by Dagenham and Redbridge and I said that we should be proud that the club has reached those heady heights within League 2.

I got shot down immediately for saying that we were punching above our weight and saying that ambition should come first and League 1 was tenable-----but is it really?

Look what happened to Dagenham. Look what happened to all those clubs with the big crowds, the big money. Clubs like Chesterfield, Stockport County, York City, Boston United, Yeovil Town, even potentially Notts County. Wealth does not always amount to success

I am happy enough with League football, League Cup football, FA Cup round 1 guaranteed....

And to keep on topic, Jimbo has worked wonders, he should stay as long as he wants

[Seasider9601]

Look what happened to Dagenham. Look what happened to all those clubs with the big crowds, the big money. Clubs like Chesterfield, Stockport County, York City, Boston United, Yeovil Town, even potentially Notts County. Wealth does not always amount to success

Add Wrexham, Tranmere Rovers, Luton Town and Darlington to that list too.

Clubs who we played in the Football League who then got relegated to the Conference.

Again, all clubs with wealth (with perhaps the exception of Darlington at the time even though they had a shiny new stadium)

[Andy D]

Look what happened to Dagenham. Look what happened to all those clubs with the big crowds, the big money. Clubs like Chesterfield, Stockport County, York City, Boston United, Yeovil Town, even potentially Notts County. Wealth does not always amount to success

Add Wrexham, Tranmere Rovers, Luton Town and Darlington to that list too.

Clubs who we played in the Football League who then got relegated to the Conference.

Again, all clubs with wealth (with perhaps the exception of Darlington at the time even though they had a shiny new stadium)

Sorry. But thought of the saying straight away "Better to have Loved than not Loved at all"


But seriously while some of these teams have been up and down, like Luton, Tranmere, Exeter, etc, we've been stuck with this longest serving L2 record people are proud of.

[Keith]

we've been stuck with this longest serving L2 record people are proud of.

Damn right I’m proud of that record! What an amazing achievement!!! Lot’s of clubs bigger than us who’d happily swap places. Remember when John Hardicker was sold to Stockport County, then a Championship side? Scored twice against Man City? What would their fans give to be a Football League side still?

[RedRampage]

It's interesting seeing everyone's views on this topic. I was just wanting to see peoples opinions as I know there has been a divide forming this season with Jim ins and Jim outs.

[Gone_Shrimping]

It's interesting seeing everyone's views on this topic. I was just wanting to see peoples opinions as I know there has been a divide forming this season with Jim ins and Jim outs.

There might have been a divide but the vast majority want Jim in and a very small minority want Jim out.

[redrobo]

There is something very special about our fans that I doubt any other club has and that is loyalty towards a manager who has season after season rescued us from the perils of non league football. I can't imagine any other group of fans who would almost to a man continue to support a manager with such a record.

The same applies to the Board of Directors who probably realise more than many others the circumstances under which JB and Co have to operate.

When you look at the number of mangers who have bitten the dust just in our league then JB must realise how fortunate he is to still be revered by so many particularly on this forum.

[Seasider9601]

There might have been a divide but the vast majority want Jim in and a very small minority want Jim out.

Exactly what I was just going to type.

[marky No.1]

The key thing here is what does Jim want for his future, it must be massive for him to live through the ups and downs of MFC.
We've all seen that he hasn't been his bubbly self of late, particularly the reactions from the 'boo' boys.

I don't think he will leave, but will he sign a new contract if offered one?

[RedRampage]

It's interesting seeing everyone's views on this topic. I was just wanting to see peoples opinions as I know there has been a divide forming this season with Jim ins and Jim outs.

There might have been a divide but the vast majority want Jim in and a very small minority want Jim out.#

The main thing is trying to get the lost fans back on side, no matter how you look at it, we have lost a hell of a lot of regular fans since the move to the globe. The recent positive home form will no doubt start to bring some back, but next season the home form needs to heavily improve if we are to get back to averaging 2000-3000k. The main issue with me is the style of play Jim employs. If we can play more attacking football consistently then I am sure people will start to come back.

[redrobo]

Just to follow on from Posh's excellent post.

1) In the transfer window Jim managed to secure a few key players which hopefully we can keep
2) Around the same time our previously decimated central midfield started to get a bit healthier with the likes of Wildig and Fleming getting more playing time
3) We've also had the training facilities at Lancaster Uni from this point too.

Have a look at the League table from the the 15th of February, after the transfer window closed and Aaron Collins made his debut:

https://www.twtd.co.uk/league-tables/co ... -and-away/

We're 4th, we have the same amount of points as Champions Lincoln and only Tranmere have amassed more points.

Give a full season of training at the Uni, hopefully no injury crisis and Jim being able to secure the likes of Collins, Bennett and Mingoia on permanent deals the evidence suggests we can have a much better season.

Thanks Shrimpy and excellent points from you too.

There’s no evidence either way that Jim got more money in January. What we do know is that Jim managed to get £50k for Jason Oswell he picked up for nothing; that we got roughly £100k for Leif Davies; and he shipped out Thommo, Yarney and a couple of others to clear the way for others. Great work from the whole management team.

Given the amount of injuries we’ve had it surely isn’t a coincidence that our poor training facilities are a contributing factor? 46 games and not one player will play in more than 40 of them and only 4 will play more than 30 (Mills, Old, Lavelle and Conlan).

As for keeping players I don’t think we should get excited about many of them staying. Bennett is on decent money at Carlisle so will need to take a drop to join us and may well get his option taken up; Aaron Collins will take something very special to keep; Zak Mills will surely get Player of the Season and we’ve lost our last three (?); Carlos has been scouted apparently; and Piero Mingoia is one of several who lives further afield. Like everyone I want to keep them but like Brexit, think the worst and hope for the best.

Don't recall ever having seen any official announcement about the fees we received for either player. So is this pure speculation or yet again another leak from within the club....

[Phil Anderer]

It's interesting seeing everyone's views on this topic. I was just wanting to see peoples opinions as I know there has been a divide forming this season with Jim ins and Jim outs.

There might have been a divide but the vast majority want Jim in and a very small but vocal minority want Jim out.

I've amended your quote. At the end of the day, 'you can't please all the people all of the time', and regardless of how large the majority is that support Jim, there'll always be some against, and even those of us who do support him, sometimes get frustrated/annoyed with tactics/team choices from time to time. I have to say though, I'm not a knee-jerk type of person, and having a board of directors who apply the same restraint in respect of the manager is something I'm vicariously proud of.

[Slanester]

The key thing here is what does Jim want for his future, it must be massive for him to live through the ups and downs of MFC.
We've all seen that he hasn't been his bubbly self of late, particularly the reactions from the 'boo' boys.

I don't think he will leave, but will he sign a new contract if offered one?

Now that is the million dollar question m1.
Regardless of what any of the fans feel with relation to Jim,it will count for nothing. If he decides to go, then the sh!t hits the fan. All questions will ultimately be answered, but blood hell, it certainly isn’t something I would relish, or look forward to. Only time will tell.

[Andy D]

we've been stuck with this longest serving L2 record people are proud of.

Damn right I’m proud of that record! What an amazing achievement!!! Lot’s of clubs bigger than us who’d happily swap places. Remember when John Hardicker was sold to Stockport County, then a Championship side? Scored twice against Man City? What would their fans give to be a Football League side still?

Think I'd rather take a gamble and experience a journey with adventure and memories. But that's just me in life, I love Traveling and go somewhere different every year.

Then others are quite happy to go to Benidorm every year, everybody is different.

[The Marksman]

For me, it's simple. I don't think there's anyone else out there who fits all three of these criteria:
1) Would be better than Bentley
2) Would be willing to work here
3) We can afford them

[Keith]

we've been stuck with this longest serving L2 record people are proud of.

Damn right I’m proud of that record! What an amazing achievement!!! Lot’s of clubs bigger than us who’d happily swap places. Remember when John Hardicker was sold to Stockport County, then a Championship side? Scored twice against Man City? What would their fans give to be a Football League side still?

Think I'd rather take a gamble and experience a journey with adventure and memories. But that's just me in life, I love Traveling and go somewhere different every year.

Then others are quite happy to go to Benidorm every year, everybody is different.

Even if that was relegation followed by relegation?

[redrobo]

Not advocating this in any shape or form, but sometimes you have to take the plunge to see what life is like on the other side. You may regret it, but then again it could be the best thing you have done.

To remain with the status quo can be so bloody boring....

Catch 22.....

[mrpotatohead]

you have more sides than a ten bob coin

[redrobo]

you have more sides than a ten bob coin

Variety is the spice of life....

[Freez]

Neil, you are hilarious. In one post you are speculating that extra money has been made available for the team to train up at the Uni, and in the next are criticising Posh for speculating on transfer fees!!
Kettle calling the pot sooty bum??

There was confirmation in the press that Oswell left for a fee, it was later confirmed by the club to be 50k. I’ve no idea what happened with Leif Davis but there was money involved apparently.
There is no evidence whatsoever that the board released more money to the Uni to use the facilities up there, but you are happy to speculate!!
Hypocrisy? Noooo!!

[paschahound]

I really hope Jim stays.
I just can't believe why anyone could want anything different and I think some of the comments from the usual suspect(s) are abominable.
Jim has done amazingly well on the smallest budget, along with all the other reasons given in this and other threads. He knows Morecambe FC through and through and I think it's time that those who are asking for change recognise how immense Jim has been for Morecambe. This season, for instance, Jim has massively turned around a horrendous start and made the absolute best of the limitations he has been dealt.
So many teams have chopped and changed managers and ended up in a lower league. As well as the list Seasider and Thenorm gave above, we can add Hartlepool: a team with a MUCH bigger support base but who 'mutually agreed' to let Ronnie Moore go and then went into free-fall, with a succession of managers since. I am convinced that were Jim to go, we would seriously struggle and suffer a similar fate.
We should be showing the love we all have for Jim to encourage this great boss to remain with us.

[redrobo]

:D Neil, you are hilarious. In one post you are speculating that extra money has been made available for the team to train up at the Uni, and in the next are criticising Posh for speculating on transfer fees!!
Kettle calling the pot sooty bum??

There was confirmation in the press that Oswell left for a fee, it was later confirmed by the club to be 50k. I’ve no idea what happened with Leif Davis but there was money involved apparently.
There is no evidence whatsoever that the board released more money to the Uni to use the facilities up there, but you are happy to speculate!!
Hypocrisy? Noooo!!

Not the first time that £100K was mentioned by Posh for Leif and as for the Oswell fee I certainly did not read or hear in the media or on SVs that we got £50k. If it was announced then I apologise.

As for speculating about money being made available for the Uni I did wonder if the new owners had had some input into the arrangement but I didn't suggest that money had changed hands. I did question if Jim had been given a small amount in January but didn't imply that he definitely had because unlike others I don't have insider information.

[Andy D]

Even if that was relegation followed by relegation?

Well that's what gambling is win or bust, what were in danger of now by being bank rolled every season.

My point or counter argument was with people being negative talking down promotion(ambition) by pointing out the teams who have failed.

PS And I did say in my first post the new Owners should back Jim with money to keep this squad together, as the momentum and team spirit could carry on, For those who have selective reading or misunderstanding things on purpose.