GLAD TO BE BACK
Adams wants to help the Shrimps swim up the table
Derek Adams aims to revive the struggling Shrimps
BOTTOM of the Football League, limited resources to work with – but Derek Adams didn’t hesitate when Morecambe came calling.
The struggling Shrimps were in the market for a new boss after long-serving manager Jim Bentley called time on his Globe Arena tenure and took the vacant AFC Fylde job.
Some might have decided it was better to give the Morecambe hotseat a swerve. Yet former Plymouth manager Adams was more than happy to plonk himself there, signing a two-and-a-half year deal.
“I could have waited more time, but I wanted to get back working,” said the 44-year-old, who left the Pilgrims in April. “You don’t get many opportunities to be a manager in England. I was at Plymouth for four seasons and now it’s on to Morecambe. It’s an opportunity to get them moving up the table.”
Considering his managerial CV, you could put forward the case that Morecambe have pulled off a coup in enticing Adams to the Lancashire coast. Among the highlights are two promotions and a Scottish Cup final with Ross County, one promotion with Plymouth and a League Two play-off final appearance – and he was PFA Scotland Manager of the Year in 2011-12.
Yet here he is at the bottom of League Two ready to get his hands dirty again.
“I’ve been given the opportunity to manage Morecambe Football Club and I need to get the club moving forward as quickly as possible,” he told The FLP.
“I went to Ross County and I didn’t have many resources there. Plymouth had not long come out of administration when I went there and had a mid-table budget.
“We have the lowest budget in League Two – so we have to over-achieve. It’s not easy, but organisation is something I like to do. I like to have my teams organised so they can feel comfortable. For example, they know how we’re going to train and I can help make them better football players.”
Glasgow-born Adams took a watching brief for last Saturday’s FA Cup first round tie at Blackpool – a game Morecambe lost 4-1 – and then enjoyed a winning start as his Shrimps beat Carlisle 3-1 in the Leasing. com Trophy on Tuesday night.
That proved the final match in charge for Cumbrians boss Steven Pressley, while another League Two boss, Carl Fletcher, was dismissed after just 29 days in charge of Leyton Orient on Thursday. It all goes to show how precarious a business it is.
Adams is keen to manage higher up the ladder, but is philosophical about the chances of doing so.
“It’s not easy to get up the leagues,” he said. “A British manager trying to get a job in the English Premier League has to get promoted from the Championship to the Premier League. They aren’t given a job there. It’s similar the further down you go.
“I had good success at Plymouth and signed a five-year contract, but it doesn’t mean anything now. You have to be careful – you shouldn’t think you have a plan for two, three or four years. What’s important is the next game and the one after. You don’t get long.”
For now, though, Adams has more than enough on his plate trying to revive Morecambe’s fortunes.
“When a new manager comes in, it changes things,” he said. “I’m different from other managers and they’re different to me. I want to put my ideas forward.
“It’s about looking at the players, the formation, the best way we can go. I’ve taken on a challenge here – it’s to get us up the table.”
In the middle of December, Adams will take his side to former club Plymouth for a League Two clash that’s bound to have added spice.
“We will be massive underdogs on the day, but I’m looking forward to it,” he added.