Points deductions, transfer embargoes and currently sitting rock-bottom of League Two heading into Christmas.
There are not a lot of similarities between the Morecambe side that achieved promotion to League One for the first time back in the 2020/21 season and the current one – other than the man in charge.
Derek Adams returned to the north-west last summer for his third stint at the Shrimps and is determined to bring joy back to the club following a tough two-year period which has included relegation, a three point deduction last season and a suspended two-point penalty in the current term.
“It’s a football club I know well. I’ve been here for two previous spells and really enjoyed it,” Adams told Sky Sports. “Enjoyed working with the board, enjoyed the support from the staff and supporters.
“And this season, we’d obviously have to change the team around a lot. But it’s nice to be back.”
Mass movement
Adams is not wrong when he said the team had to change a lot. After seeing their transfer embargo for failing to meet EFL regulations regarding payment obligations lifted in July, attention shifted to possible arrivals.
The Shrimps registered 15 signings in one day after being left with just four senior players on the books from the previous campaign.
He continued: “Between then and July 1, I had to try and get some players in. We had four players from last season. And we signed 15 in the one day.
“We’ve signed 20 now in total, which has given us a squad of 24 players. And we’ve been very competitive this season in the league.”
Twenty fresh faces, which included the likes of current top goalscorer Ben Tollitt, veteran forward Hallam Hope and Liverpool loanee Rhys Williams – but the club are not done there.
“We’ve got a January period where we’ll try to add players to the squad to enable us to strengthen going into the run-in for the end of the season,” Adams added.
“We’ll look at taking in three or four players in that period. That’s what we’re hoping for at this moment in time. And it will be free transfers and loan players coming in.”
Takeover latest
Embedding fresh faces and guiding the club from relegation candidates to pushing for promotion is a huge ask – but it is not unfamiliar territory for Adams.
When he first arrived, the new boss navigated his team to safety by the narrowest of margins in 22nd and would go on to secure promotion via the play-offs in the following season.
Whether or not this blueprint of success can be replicated, remains to be seen. But Adams believes their chances of repeating this feat will be boosted when the takeover situation – which has been looming over the team since they were put up for sale in 2022 – is resolved.
“We’re still waiting on the takeover of the football club because financially it’s extremely difficult for us,” he said.
“And until we get that clarity [we can’t push on]. That will help us from a budgetary point of view, not only for the playing squad, but for the stadium and infrastructure as well. We’ll certainly be a lot stronger once the takeover takes place.”
When pushed for an update on any developments, with a specific reference to prospective owner Kuljeet Singh Momi’s and his bid, Adams added: “We don’t [have an update] at this moment in time. It’s between the board, the EFL and the owner.”
Third time lucky?
Despite the uncertainty regarding ownership, Morecambe could be set for some well-needed stability in terms of their manager.
Adams has previously left on two different occasions to take on roles at Bradford City and Ross County but after lasting just 11 months in total across the two jobs, he now seems ready to settle in Lancashire.
When asked about his long-term future after signing a rolling contract, Adams said: “Yeah of course. I think that when you look at it, the football club has been good for myself.
“And I think that the people around the football club, the board, the supporters, the staff, I enjoy working with them all.
“We just hope to be successful.”
Watch Carlisle vs Morecambe, live on Sky Sports+, on Boxing Day along with all other EFL fixtures.