John Coleman says there couldn't be a worse time to face York City as the Reds travel to Bootham Crescent tomorrow.
York, under new boss Jackie McNamara, were beaten 6-0 at Portsmouth on Tuesday after having Jonathan Greening sent off just before half-time with the score goalless.
Stanley have already beaten York this season in the FA Cup - the Reds winning 3-2 in McNamara's first game in charge - but the Stanley boss knows they will be facing a wounded animal tomorrow.
"The longer he (McNamara)is in the job, the more he will galvanise them and the stronger the opposition they will be," said Coleman.
"I don't think we could be playing them at a worse time after a 6-0 defeat. Their manager, I and the players will be expecting a backlash.
"The only thing we can do is focus on our own game and make it as difficult as possible for them by playing committed football."
Coleman knows what it's like to be on the receiving end of a thrashing - and knows the reactions can work in York's favour.
"Everyone has their different ways of approaching it. I remember our 8-2 defeat at Peterborough and I played the same team the week after and we won.
"There are no guarantees of whatever you do is right and all we can do is make it tough for the opposition."
Stanley's last victory at Bootham Crescent was in the 2005/6 Conference winning season and Coleman has happy memories of that time.
"That was the day that really cemented our place in the Football League, especially as Hereford got beat," said Coleman.
"If you want to cheer yourself up watch the 17 minutes of that game on YouTube where we scored the goals.
"In my eyes, that's when our position became insurmountable and I have fond memories of that and hopefully we can create more good memories tomorrow."
Defender Dean Winnard is a doubt and a couple of the Stanley players are fighting off illness.