Morecambe’s relegation odds prove that appearances can be deceiving

Morecambe’s steady start to League Two would likely deem a price of 6/1 to see them demoted to the conference far too short to consider.

Yet they have a long way to go before dispelling themselves as genuine relegation candidates and that is largely down to their substandard showing in front of their own fans.

The Shrimps ended last season without a win at Christie Park since early-March and this problem has resurfaced again this term.

They’ve conceded a total of three goals in the final 10 minutes of both their home games which has seen four points whittled down to one.
Two very impressive away outings have lofted the Lancashire club to sixth in the League Two table and, if they can reproduce this form throughout the season, they will be in no relegation danger, whatsoever.

Comprehensive wins at both Exeter and Bristol Rovers indicate that Morecambe are more than capable of performing at this level, but failing to win home games invariably proves the foundation for disaster.

If Morecambe don’t hastily nip this in the bud, they’ll be under pressure to win away every week and that is a task beyond their means.

Especially so in League Two, where the competition is so evenly matched any team can get a result against another, whether they sit at the top or bottom of the table.

Hereford’s plight last term should be an apt warning of what happens when you fail to perform at home. The Bulls slipped up in five of their first six home games and, ultimately, were relegated on the final day of the season.

Worryingly for Morecambe, this came after going unbeaten in four of their opening six away games.

Also, their main source of goals this year has been midfield player, Kevin Ellison. They will need their strikers to start finding the net if they are intent on dodging a messy relegation scrap, with only one having done so in league action so far.

So, with goal-shy centre forwards and an inability to win at home, Morecambe’s price of 6/1 for League Two relegation could have a lot more value than it originally appears.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.