Morecambe is one of the form teams in League Two, only Stockport County are better in a six-game run. Going into this Saturday’s home fixture against AFC Wimbledon, manager Derek Adams is throwing down the gauntlet on his fringe players.
Eighth-place Morecambe entertain the Dons, off the back of three straight wins. But Adams is wanting more from his squad, and the players who are sitting on the periphery of the first team.
The run of victories has come at a price though, with injuries starting to plague the team, as well as the inevitable suspensions that mount up this time of the year. Both Adam Major and Jacob Bedeau are now suspended after picking up their full hand of yellow cards, and they join James Connolly in the sin bin.
Multiple Players Out
The Lancaster Guardian reported Adam saying. “We’re down to low numbers.”
With Jake Taylor and Eli King already in the physio room, they are now joined by Farrend Rawson, Stuart Moore, and Donald Love. And the games are coming quick and fast.
“The ones who haven’t been playing will now get an opportunity. We get players back on Tuesday [a trip to Barrow], so we have to be as competitive as we can be on Saturday.
“Stuart goes to see a consultant on Friday. He’s had a scan and has to see what the outcome is but it’s not going to be a short one. Adam has played at this level for a number of years and got promoted, so he’s got good experience.”
🗣️ Derek Adams shares his pre-match thoughts ahead of Saturday's clash against @AFCWimbledon.#UTS 🦐 | #MORvWIM
— Morecambe FC (@MorecambeFC) October 26, 2023
Goalkeeper Stuart Moore was replaced at the half in last Saturday’s win at Sutton. A hip injury that is yet to have a full analysis. In Adam Smith, they have an able and experienced back up. The manager though will now though want to see the best of his squad as they try and push higher up the league.
“AFC Wimbledon are a team that have a very good work ethic. They have some good experience throughout the side but we saw their result the other night [4-2 loss to Accrington Stanley] and we’ll take what we can from that.
“We don’t play at home again until November 18, which is a long time for a team which likes playing at home.”
Writer’s View
The Shrimps have yet to lose at home this season, and only conceded four goals on home turf. Wimbledon are the best team on their travels in the whole league, so something may well give. This will be a good test for a Morecambe side that is on a good run, but maybe punching a little above their weight. That said there is always a surprise team in the campaign, and there is no reason why it cannot be Adams’ team.
If the players that come in perform well and stick to a gameplan that will likely concentrate on not conceding and exploiting a potentially fragile state of mind Wimbledon team, then this could be another fruitful day for Morecambe
