Of the game for gaffer
“It’s a big time now, there’s a lot of work going on behind the scenes, it’s about improve all areas, the training facility, what we do, try get our squad better and get everything in place for a good start next season.”
Due to their perilous position and the difficulty within the market, Southport resorted to the loan market welcoming the likes of Marcus Carver, Richie Bennett and Danny Philliskirk.
But the Southport boss believes only slight tweaks are needed and wholesale changes can be unhealthy. Bentley explained: “There’s good players at the club, lads who have improved massively so do we rip it up and start again? Which I don’t think is healthy, or do we keep ahold of everyone? Well no because we’ve struggled in the last couple of seasons with the same squad so we’ve got to get the balance right.
“Ultimately what you’re trying to do is improve every area, we don’t just need to build a team but a squad, as we seen this season it’s a squad game because there’s that much football.
“We’ve got to make sure what we’re doing is with the football club’s best interests at heart. I wouldn’t expect to rip the whole squad to bits but likewise, we can’t keep ahold of everyone so there will be players leaving and new players coming.”
Due diligence is underway at Haig Avenue as they look to build a competitive squad for next season. Away from the playing squad, there is still a focus on stability off the pitch and for the Southport manager he says they have to “strive” for improvement and believes they will.
“It’s evident we’ve changed the style of play, you can’t go from one extreme to another,” he said. “I’ve mentioned training on a third of the pitch so how are you meant to play out on the third of a pitch or play out from the goalkeeper on a third of a pitch or direct play when you’re on a third of the pitch?
“We’re hoping to improve that area which in hand helps you with how you go about training. Everyone has seen we’ve tried to play in the right areas, played good football and scored good goals but there’s room for direct play. The better-rounded, more in the armoury you are, it’s better, you don’t want to be a one-trick pony, there’s a lot of factors – I always believe you should be adaptable and find a way. With all that in the pot, I believe we will get better – you have to strive to get better.”
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