Accrington Stanley and Shrewsbury were both viewed as surprise packages last season by many observers as the two clash tomorrow.
Stanley upset the bookmakers by clinching the League Two title while the Shrews only missed out on a place in the Championship in the Play-Off Final at Wembley.
Shrewsbury have had a switch of manager since then with former Macclesfield boss John Askey replacing Paul Hurst, who moved onto Ipswich Town.
“It's only 11 games in and it's still early in the season,” said Coleman, whose side are fifth after a hat-trick of successive wins.
“The season hasn't got into full flow yet, it's still new, but we know this will be a tough game, they have kept a lot of the players they had last season and obviously we know a few of them.
“Shaun Whalley was with us years ago, he is a good player and I tried to bring him back a couple of years ago. He was perhaps a bit of a hot-headed young kid when he was here the first time, he didn't lead his life right off-the-pitch by his own admission, but he has matured, he has a young family, and he is a very good player.
“We also know Omar and he can be a handful.
“John Askey did a great job at Macclesfield, getting them into the league, that was no flash in the pan and he is a good manager. He just annoyed me when we were players as he kept me out of the Macclesfield side!
“We know this will be a test for us, Shrewsbury play some good football and I have watched them a handful of times.
"They, along with Burton, are models for what can be achieved.
“I think the league table will be clearer at the end of November, then we will be into the swing of it and everyone will have a better idea of where they are pitching their battles.
"The players here are hungry for more, they were relentless last year and whatever happens this year you can never accuse us of not trying, we always give our all."