Boss Bentley confident Morecambe can down Northampton

The Shrimps play host to Northampton having enjoyed a good start to the season.

They sit fifth in league two having won three matches on the spin, and go into the fixture against the Cobblerrs having won back-to-back away games at Yeovil Town and Newport County.

The Cobblers themselves are on a high after their win over Oxford United last weekend and Bentley is anticipating a difficult afternoon for his players.

But he also believes his team are well capable of stretching their impressive run of form.

“Northampton is a big club at this level,” said Bentley, who has only tasted victory over the Cobblers once in six outings as a manager, back in August, 2011.

“They have a manager (Wilder) and an assistant manager (Alan Knill) who know the level inside out.

“I have a lot of time for both of them, and I respect them both, and I know it will be a tough game.

“They have just brought in two good loanees in in Darnell Furlong and Shaun Brisley, and they have arguably the best centre forward in the division in Marc Richards.

“So it is going to be a hard game for us, but we know that on our day we are capable of beating anybody. We are at home, we are in decent form, so we are going to try and win the game.”

Morecambe are also anticipating a bigger crowd that usual as they stage their ‘flag day’ on Saturday, and Bentley is hoping the locals turn up in force to cheer their team on.

“We are fifth from top, we are scoring goals, we have some exciting players, and they have to get behind us,” said the Liverpudlian.

“The biggest thing is bums on seats, and it would be really nice if the local community got behind the team and drive us forward. It is massively important the town gets right behind us and give us support.”