Sutton's Imps Must Shell Shrimps

It is safe to say that Chris Sutton is approaching his first defining moments as both a football manager and our new up and coming saviour, beat Morecambe and AFC Telford and things look bright, defeats will prolong a pig of a season. His form so far has shown the signs of a watershed but having inherited a busted flush now he must start to show a hand having played his cagey cards close to his chest thus far. That is not to put undue pressure on him and the players, rather to lift us from this latest state of flux and prove that Sutton like Taylor and Murphy is a man that can. Let's have some sunshine shall we not just another winter of discontent.

The Shrimps were hammered 2-4 at home last week and face the prospect of losing Artell their best defender, the Imps on the other hand welcome back Toreador Torres to a goal shy attack. Can the bullfighter inspire or will The Shrimps defeat the Imps. Perhaps a share of the spoils is on Sutton's cards today for off the back of our first draw we meet a side who specialise in them, nine to be precise. The solitary win over County seems a long time ago for a side starved of resources since gaining their league status two seasons ago, thus the Shrimps sit 21st in the Football League.

This will be the first time the siren has accompanied us on our travels in her 69 year life. The Fans will be in Halloween fancy dress, nothing of course to do with wanting Adi back.

League Positions

Imps 17th

Morecambe 21st


The Line-ups

The Shrimps

Sammy McIlroy told BBC Radio Lancashire: "I pick the team and I tell them which way we want to play, but at the end of the day sometimes players have to go out there and look after themselves. It's very frustrating at the moment but I know one or two good results can turn things in our favour and that's what I keep telling the players.'

Defender Dave Artell's hamstring is Morecambe's main concern though on the bright side striker Wayne Curtis could start following a back injury. Twiss and Parrish also return at least to the bench after a car accident. This one is a week to early for Will Haining who is eyeing the FA Cup game at Carlisle next week.

Formation

Shrimps 4-3-3.

(G) 30 Benjamin Smith
(D) 4 David Artell, 5 Jim Bentley, 19 Lawrence Wilson, 3 Danny Adams (M)
(M) 16 Stuart Drummond, 13 Ian Craney, 18 Mark Duffy,
(ST) 10 Phil Jevons 21 Paul Mullin 8 Gary Hunter
SUBS
12 Scott Davies (G), 2 Darren Moss (D), 23 Henry McStay (D), 7 Michael Twiss (M)
6 Craig Stanley (M), 9 Wayne Curtis (ST), 17 Aaron Taylor (ST)

Form

Overall Pos 21st P 14 W 1 D 9 L 4 F 19 A 28 GD -9 PTS 16
Home Pos 17 P 7 W 1 D 5 L 1 F 12 A 13 GD -3 PTS 8
Biggest Home Win 2-1 Notts County
Heaviest Home Defeat 2-4 Northampton Town



The Mighty Imps

With Oakes allegedly suffering a slight hamstring problem Chris Sutton may elect for a straight swap with Torres taking his place. The groin issue appears to have resolved itself though a precautionary fitness test this morning will allay any last lingering doubts. Connor will miss out again, kept back we'll be pleased to hear for an added option at Telford, who will be scouting this one no doubt. Sutton will not tinker and allow the players to build on last weeks get to know one another game that saw no goals. Torres is clearly key, but Smith will not have jet lag to contend with after a debut that showed there is a lot more in his locker.

Formation 4-5-1

(G) 1 Robert Burch
(D) From 22 Adam Watts, 6 Daniel Hone, 33 Nathan Baker, 29 Eric Lichaj,
(M) 25 Cyan Hughton , 27 Khano Smith, 21 Torres , 18 S Clarke, 23 Pulis
(ST) 18 Rene Howe,
SUBS
20 Paul Musselwhite (G), 13 Ian Pearce (D) 4 Janos Kovacs (D) 11 Scott Kerr (M) 8 Richard Butcher (M) 10 Chris Fagan (M)
15 Jamie Clarke (ST)

Form

Overall Position 17th P 14 W 5 D 1 L 8 F 9 A 17 GD -8 PTS 16
Away Position 18th P 7 W 2 D 0 L 5 F 4 A 10 GD -6 PTS 6
Biggest Away Win 2-0 Bradford
Biggest Away defeat Dagenham & Redbridge 0-3


Heroes & Villains

Morecambe Hotshots
6 Phil Jevons
3 Stuart Drummond, Paul Mullin 3
2 Ian Craney
1 David Artell, Jim Bentley

Imps Hotshots
Rene Howe 4
Chris Fagan 3
Janos Kovacs 1
Sergio Torres 1

Morecambe Assists
5 Ian Craney
2 Phil Jevons, Lawrence Wilson
1 Gary Hunter, Michael Twiss, Mark Duffy,

Imps Assists
2 Cian Hughton, Lenell John-Lewis
1 Stefan Oakes

Morecambe Card Collectors 14
Reds
1 Danny Adams, Mark Duffy
Yellows
2 Ian Craney, Jim Bentley, Craig Stanley, Gary Hunter, Lawrence Wilson, Danny Adams


Imps Card Collectors

Yellow Cards - 33
6 Janos Kovacs
4 Scott Kerr,
3 Moses Swaibu, Shane Clarke, Rene Howe,
2 Stefan Oakes, Andrew Hutchinson, Cian Hughton.
1 Nathan Baker, Aaron Brown, Anthony Pulis, Dany Hone, Richard Butcher, Chris Fagan, Joe Heath, Sergio Torres.

Financial Stats

Morecambe

Highest Gate 3335 Notts County
Lowest Gate 1757 Macclesfield Town
Average Attendance 2405
Total Turnstile Clicks 16840

The Mighty Imps

Highest Gate 5527 Notts County
Lowest Gate 3005 Darlington
Average Attendance 3834
Total Turnstile Clicks 26844


Historic Head-to-Head V Shrimps

Results Span 1976 - 08/09


Total P 6 W 31 D 3 L 0 F 9 A 6
Home P 2 W 2 D 2 L 0 F 6 A 4
Away P 2 W 1 D 1 L 0 F 3 A 2

Fixtures Highs and lows
Biggest gate 20/11/1976 W 1-0 ATT 6,111 FA Cup R 1
Lowest gate 28/11/2000 W 3-2 ATT 1,194 LDV R 1
Biggest win 28/11/2000 W 3-2 ATT 1,194 LDV R 1
Biggest loss Never beaten us!!!!!!!!

Imps Hotshots V Shrimps
3 Lee Thorpe
2 Paul Green

Record Appearances V Shrimps
2+2 Dany N'Guessan
3 Scott Kerr, Paul Green Lee Frecklington, Lee Beevers
2+1 Shane Clarke