This Week's Opposition: Morecambe

After a Good Friday stalemate with MK Dons put a slight dent in their Play-Off hopes, the Blues will be looking to rise back to winning ways on Easter Monday - Morecambe the opponents for Matchday 41…

John Mousinho’s side are now 5 points adrift of the top 6 with 6 games remaining and for 4 of those matches, will be without midfielder Joe Morrell.

They take on the struggling Shrimps next… both sides have a lot on the line at this late stage of the season!

MANAGER

Former Ross County, Plymouth Argyle and Bradford City boss Derek Adams is the man in charge of Morecambe.

The 47-year-old Glaswegian had been at the helm of the Shrimps between November 2019 and June 2021, replacing the long-serving Jim Bentley at the Mazuma Stadium.

Adams brought Morecambe into League One at the first time of asking, securing promotion to the 3rd tier for the first time in the club’s history thanks to an extra-time victory over Newport County in the League Two Play-Off Final in May 2021.

He returned to the club last February, just 9 days after being dismissed by Bradford, replacing the man who had been brought in to succeed him, Stephen Robinson.

ONE TO WATCH

Senegalese full-back Pape Souaré is our One To Watch on this occasion.

The 32-year-old shocked the Football League when his arrival on the Lancashire coast was announced on March 17th.

Souaré joined Morecambe on a short deal until the end of the season, having previously spent 10 months out of the game, following his release from Charlton Athletic last May.

The former Lille and Crystal Palace full-back has made 4 appearances for The Shrimps so far and, although results have not improved since his arrival, he does bring Premier League experience to a club who currently look destined to be returning to League Two very soon.

TOP SCORER

Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Jensen Weir is currently top of Morecambe’s goalscoring charts this term.

The 21-year-old midfielder currently has 9 league goals to his name, as well as 1 in the Papa John’s Trophy.

Weir, who is enjoying his second loan spell from the Premier League outfit following last season’s time with Cambridge United, wears the number 15 shirt for The Shrimps.

CURRENT FORM

Derek Adams’ side have secured just 1 league victory from their last 14 attempts and have failed to win any of their previous 9.

They’re currently on a run of 3 straight defeats, following a 1-0 loss at MK Dons, a 5-0 thrashing away at Barnsley and, on Good Friday, a 3-1 defeat at home to Plymouth Argyle.

As things stand, Morecambe sit 23rd in the League One table with just 34 points - 8 points clear of rock-bottom Forest Green Rovers but 5 adrift of Oxford United in the final safe position, having also played more games than any of the teams around them.

In the reverse of this fixture back in November, the 2 sides shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw, thanks to goals from Liam Shaw and Colby Bishop at the Mazuma Stadium.

Can the Blues turn their fortunes around and get back to winning ways or will The Shrimps begin what could be the start of a very late attempt at a Great Escape?

Tune in for all of the unmissable action when Pompey Live returns on 93.7 Express FM, DAB Digital Radio, Online & iFollow Pompey this Easter Monday from 2pm!

Kick-off at Fratton Park: 3pm.