Jim Bentley has done a fantastic job over a long period of time as manager of Sky Bet League Two side Morecambe, constantly fighting against much bigger and better resourced clubs to keep his team in the English Football League.

The playing budget at the Lancashire club is thought to be one of the smallest, most modest in the division on a yearly basis, yet Bentley consistently finds a way to keep 'The Shrimps' competitive and certainly 'punching above their weight' a little in the fourth tier.

Bentley's approach is based on a strong, well-drilled and resolute defensive shape - with Morecambe (previously) often able to shut down and frustrate opposition teams and look to catch them on the counter.

Morecambe are long renowned amongst lower league followers for their ability to grind out 0-0 draws against more fancied opposition and in doing so, picking up the necessary amount of points to guarantee League Two survival for another year.

The Shrimps, however, are not prolific goalscorers and often struggle to create opportunities - regularly feeling the wrath of their supporters for their lack of an offensive edge.

That being said, with home attendances barely topping 1,000, Bentley rightly uses his resources in the best way possible to get the necessary results out of games for his club's benefit.

This season, however, Morecambe are having some real difficulties defensively and it's something that needs addressing if they are to maintain their League Two status come the end of the campaign.

Currently sitting 22nd, above Stevenage and Scunthorpe United - two sides that could reasonably be expected to improve as the season progresses - Morecambe have conceded 21 goals in their 11 games so far, and for a team that is so reliant on clean sheets and defensive solidity, it's a very worrying statistic.

Only Leyton Orient, who are currently one place above Bentley's men in the standings, have conceded as many goals thus far and with Morecambe lacking in attacking quarters, it will surely be an issue concerning the manager.

Perhaps Bentley could look at changing system in an attempt to stem the tide - Morecambe very rarely concede less than two goals a game at present - and get back to basics in terms of keeping opposing teams out. It may be that wingers Lewis Alessandra and John O'Sullivan aren't offering the necessary protection to their full-backs, leaving them exposed.

At the earliest opportunity Bentley may well look at acquiring a commanding figure to lead his side in search of renewed defensive competency - should the budget allow for it. One thing that is certain, however, is that Morecambe must find a way to stop leaking goals and return to their determined, resolute best if they are to be competitive in Sky Bet League Two moving forward.