Jim Bentley's future

[RedRampage]

What is everyone's thoughts on Jim's future here at Morecambe? Does he deserve a new contract, or do you think the summer is the time for him to walk away for a new challenge? He has worked wonders keeping us up, but is a fresh start needed for all?

Do we need new direction with a new gaffer, or is he still the man to take us to the next step.

Be interesting to see peoples views on this.

[shrimperteer]

It would be a new level of stupid to send him packing. I kind of feel like I'm falling into a trap even answering it.

Just to confirm, this is a real question?

[Andy D]

Strange season, normally we start the first half of a season strong then go to shit, this season it's been the other way around.

Home form as improved, and Ive actually enjoyed watching us at times.

Be nice if the board back Jim and so we can tie down some of these player's, no need for wholesale changes with this squad.

[Born again Bill]

What is everyone's thoughts on Jim's future here at Morecambe? Does he deserve a new contract, or do you think the summer is the time for him to walk away for a new challenge? He has worked wonders keeping us up, but is a fresh start needed for all?

Do we need new direction with a new gaffer, or is he still the man to take us to the next step.

Be interesting to see peoples views on this.

He is still the man for the job , end of topic -move on

[redrobo]

I do wonder at times if a new manager is what we need after 10 years of continual battles against relegation under JB and Co and for JB himself to find life at another club. I do have issues with Jim about tactics and style of play but can't argue that this season in particular he's been working with as if he had one arm tied around his back what with injuries, lack of adequate training facilities and off field issues to make matters worse. But since the turn of the year when he was given some extra finance ( ) the performances in general have been better than previous which has seen us move away from the relegation area with games to spare and I do wonder that if given a slight increase in budget could we see an acceptable improvement next season that be all would more than welcome.

So should JB be given more time to build on the existing squad by the addition of proven EFL 2 players and not young loanees, then for me I would say a guarded yes but I would like to see us play more attack minded football and do away with the long ball game that for me has proved so unattractive over the seasons.

[Posh]

Jim deserves to stay for reasons other than budgets and I’ll explain why.

I was fortunate to have a chat with Jim for about 15 minutes after the Cambridge game. I thought the reason we got the win was because of his substitutions. Paul McKay and hadn’t played for a while and after a great first half was tiring. As a result Jordan and Flemmo were dropping deeper to cover. He brought on Alex Kenyon and it immediately meant play was being broken up better, Jordan pushed forward and that’s what got us the goal. Additionally, he wanted to give Vadaine a go but it clearly didn’t work out and Ritchie Bennett immediately caused them problem and occupied their defence more.

So tactically, I thought he was spot on but that wasn’t the main reason. Most of the conversation was around training facilities. He then told a series of stories about what he has had to put with. Without going into details using a school’s facilities that don’t have drainage and is used by the whole school has been a nightmare of cancelled sessions and limited facilities for years. With Morecambe High becoming an academy; Lancaster and Morecambe College now unavailable; and no progress on our own pitches, and we’ll soon have nowhere to train at all. Now tell an experienced manager that and see what they say and whether they’d be willing to get involved? How many other clubs have no dedicated training facilities?

The reason for the improvement is Lancaster University. Jim says it is the best thing to happen to the club in all his time with us. Proper pitches, swimming pool and a gym with some other space to use. It has cut players travelling times down, training sessions aren’t lost to the weather or because school children need to use them or because he has to remove a load of dog poo off it, and everything is suddenly professionalised. We have to secure this long-term and, if we do, then Jim deserves the opportunity to see what this can do to help us as a club. If we don’t secure this and Jim goes, then try and secure someone’s back garden because a new manager would have very little to work with.

[Phil Anderer]

From what Posh has said there, assuming it's all true (and I have no reason to question its validity), then Jim has been working wonders. I have to say that this season started off with a more entertaining style of play, then around the time Fleming got injured we seemed to go backwards a bit, reverting to an overly defensive mindset. From January onwards things have improved again, albeit it took a couple of months to get properly into the swing of things. I say let Jim carry on, with the improved training facilities (assuming we keep them), and with as much of the squad as possible kept on for continuity, we should not be having to look down next season.

[Gone_Shrimping]

Jim has a contract to Summer of 2020 and I expect him to continue and hope that the last 14 games which have produced 24 points (play-off form) can be replicated when the new season starts.

The training facilities at the University have as mentioned had a beneficial effect on the players' fitness and performances. Maybe we could have a more formal tie up with the University with a board on the A6 letting people know that Morecambe Football Club train there , some sponsorship on shirts maybe.

[RedRampage]

It would be a new level of stupid to send him packing. I kind of feel like I'm falling into a trap even answering it.

Just to confirm, this is a real question?

of course it's a real question!

[Shrimpy]

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.

[redrobo]

Are the training facilities just for this season or can we expect them to be used for the entire season 2019/2020?

If not can we renegotiate a favourable deal for both parties?

I do recall using the Uni when Sammy Mc was manager but for some reason we stopped using them but can't recall the reason at the time.

Begs the question why after all this time that we now use the Uni. What has changed...

Have our new owners had some input into this or has the Uni been more accommodating than before due to a changer of decision makers....

[black morse]

So far all posts favour Jim staying and so do I. However, much as I'd like to see the present squad stay together, I don't think Jim thinks it's going to happen. All the hopes for an increased budget for players are probably just that.....hopes! I know the gates have increased but that may just cover losses.
Jim will still have to rely on loanees and one or two of the present ones will go.

If the present squad could stay together than I think we could really hope for the improvement to continue but. as I say, don't pin your hopes too high.

[Keith]

Begs the question why after all this time that we now use the Uni. What has changed...

My guess (and it is a guess) is finances have changed?

It would be a new level of stupid to send him packing. I kind of feel like I'm falling into a trap even answering it.

Just to confirm, this is a real question?

of course it's a real question!

Jim isn't out of contract, so it is only a 'real question' if you are suggesting sacking Jim.

[Marineroadrovers]

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

[HALMA 1983]

Sorry but I thought this was a joke
The club as it stands only has one future and that's IF Jim hasn't got so disillusioned that he'll walk, I wouldn't blame the guy one bit.
One word covers his latest exploits and that's 'Magnificent' and every bit as good as Colemans miracle but with even less.

[jbc.shrimp]

Firstly, so would come in and do Jimbo's job with the same competition's ? If would be unfair to get rid of Jim without giving him purchasing power first. If Bond really do have our best interest at heart they should understand this.

[Marineroadrovers]

Firstly, so would come in and do Jimbo's job with the same competition's ? If would be unfair to get rid of Jim without giving him purchasing power first. If Bond really do have our best interest at heart they should understand this.

hurst keith hill. the old oldham manage any onne could

[jbc.shrimp]

Firstly, so would come in and do Jimbo's job with the same competition's ? If would be unfair to get rid of Jim without giving him purchasing power first. If Bond really do have our best interest at heart they should understand this.

hurst keith hill. the old oldham manage any onne could

I agree MRR, maybe anybody could, the question was, who would ?

[Posh]

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.

[mrpotatohead]

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.

[Born again Bill]

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.

Here Here MPH

As has been said before we have no right to be in this league based on finance and fan base but every year we have survived mainly down to the hard work put in by JB

[Phil Anderer]

From what I've heard (and I'm not 'in the loop', so it could be wrong), Jim's business in January was down to his balancing of the books, rather than any additional investment. I know we'd all like to see that happen, but I'm not holding my breath. If we can keep the extra 500 fans a week that will surely help though.

[Seasider9601]

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.

+1.

Well said.

[Slanester]

Some excellent and interesting posts on this so far, covering all relevant points, as far as I’m concerned.
It takes a “special” type of person, not just in a managerial sense, to do what Jim has done for Morecambe over the years. Our future is Jim Bentley.

BaB sums it up for all the Jim d’out’ers.

He is still the man for the job , end of topic -move on

.

[Keith]

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

Okay, where should a club of our size and finance be finishing?