GARY Bowyer is City’s seventh different manager since Jim Bentley took charge at Morecambe.

It’s 10 in all if you add those who have taken the caretaker reins for a game in that time, including present number two Martin Drury.

Having stepped up to the Shrimps hot-seat in May 2011, Bentley is the longest-serving manager in the English professional game.

And as City head west to face his side this weekend, Bowyer feels his opposite number deserves plenty of plaudits.

Bowyer said: “Jim, for me, is a fantastic manager and people don’t give him enough credit.

“I used to say the same when I was at Blackpool. I don’t know how he doesn’t get linked to other jobs for what he has done and what he’s achieved.

“I see people get awards and nominations for services to football and then you see what Jim has done.”

With crowds hovering around the 2,000 mark, Morecambe will always be one of the smallest clubs in the EFL. But they thrive on their underdog tag.

That underlines the challenge that Bentley faces every season – and why Bowyer knows they will be fired up for a visit from City, who will double their gate.

He added: “I think it’s going to be our toughest game of the season.

“There are 1,600 Bradford fans going for starters. The away end is sold-out and that immediately raises the level for everybody.

"We know we’re in for a tough game.

"Jim has done an absolutely brilliant job and he always gets them playing football.

“Jim’s had Morecambe pumped up for every game so far this season and I'm sure he will do that for every one after they have played us as well.

“It’s the next game for us and the one we’re focused on. We’ve got to make sure we’ve prepared right and apply ourselves the same way we did last weekend.

“There’s no chance of any complacency creeping into the squad. That simply won't be allowed."

City have won only one of their four visits to Morecambe in Bentley's time in charge - when Aaron Maclean scored a hotly-disputed late goal in the Capital One Cup that appeared to go in off his hand in 2014.

They lost their last encounter three years ago in the Checkatrade Trophy, Morecambe winning a group game 3-2 despite two goals from Haris Vuckic.