Morecambe manager Derek Adams has admitted that he underestimated the scale of the job after returning to the club in the summer.
The Shrimps have endured a torrid time over the last couple of years. Relegation to League Two was followed by a significant financial loss, culminating in a transfer embargo earlier this year. Upon its lifting, several incomings arrived, but Morecambe have struggled and will enter Christmas bottom of the EFL.
Protests were staged against the current ownership last month, with Jason Whittingham claiming he had agreed terms to sell the club.
On the pitch, things have been equally difficult. Morecambe have won just three games all season and have lost their last three, leaving them five points from safety as we enter the festive period.
Adams Admits Difficult Job
Derek Adams returned for his third stint at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium in June. However, it’s been far from plain sailing. Speaking to the Lancaster Guardian, the 49-year-old revealed he didn’t realise how difficult the job would be prior to accepting the role:
“I knew, when I came back here, how difficult it was but I didn’t think it would be as difficult as it has been.
“We have been competitive in games this season but we have lacked quality and quality costs you money – and unfortunately we haven’t had that.
“We had to put a squad together and we put 23 players together in the summer and, if we hadn’t done that, I don’t know where we would be.”
Continuing, the former Bradford City boss urged his squad to keep fighting whilst questioning when the takeover of the club could happen:
“They (the players) are trying their best and I think you can see that by the effort they are putting in, but we haven’t had the quality.
“It’s really, really hard and we have shown at times this season that we have the ability to match most teams – but not enough times – and we all have to keep on fighting.
“Investment will help us but when is it going to come? Until then, it is time for the players to find the quality they do have on a more regular basis.”
Writer’s View
There is a sense of impending doom at Morecambe. It looks increasingly inevitable that their 18-year stay in the EFL is coming to an end. Derek Adams needs more quality at his disposal and it’s difficult to see that arriving in January, unless the takeover can be agreed in the next few weeks. Until then, it is damage limitation. If they can get anything out of their upcoming games against Carlisle United and Salford City, they may just have a chance.
