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Interviews

Coley: We're there to win games and it doesn't have to be pretty

Stanley's manager expects this weekend's game with Rochdale to be a good one for the fans

10 October 2019

Interviews

Coley: We're there to win games and it doesn't have to be pretty

Stanley's manager expects this weekend's game with Rochdale to be a good one for the fans

10 October 2019

Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman knows going into this weekend's game with Rochdale that both sides are capable of playing good football, but that sometimes he wants his team to not entertain and just secure the three points.

The Reds come into the game on the back of a 3-0 win over Oldham Athletic and Coleman was happy with his team's performance, especially after making nine changes from the draw with Oxford United.

"We didn't start well on Tuesday but we certainly finished well, we played a different system for the first time.

"We made nine changes and at a blink I wouldn't hesitate to play any of them in a Sky Bet League One game."

Stanley midfielder Jordan Clark has been in good form of late and after he grabbed the third goal against the Latics, Coleman spoke very highly of the winger during this morning's pre-match press conference.

"I don't have to tell anyone how good Jordan is, everybody knows how highly I speak of him.

"I've seen him develop a lot over the last few years and he's a top player."

20-year-old Ross Sykes captained the side during the Leasing.com Trophy victory and Coleman doesn't see a reason why the defender can't go all the way to the top level.

"It's very good to captain the team at a young age and lead the team as he does.

"He's still got plenty of years in him to improve, I wouldn't rule him out playing at the top level."

Since Brian Barry-Murphy took charge of Rochdale, he has built a side that plays good football and Coleman admitted he is a huge admirer of teams that play using this style.

"Brian Barry-Murphy really turned them around last year.

"They've tried to develop a style of play over the summer, I love teams who play football and try and get the ball down."

The Rochdale manager played under Coleman's stewardship and the Reds boss explained that Barry-Murphy is a very knowledgeable man and logical in his approach.

"He played for me at Rochdale, he's a cracking man and has got a very good knowledge.

"He's quite logical in his approach and you're more likely to listen to someone if they're not shouting at you.

Although Coleman's side also play in a similar way to Rochdale, he also explained how he wants his team to primarily secure the three points rather than focusing on entertaining the crowd.

"It's nice to entertain but we're not an entertainment business.

"If you want to get entertained, go to the pictures or the opera, we're there to win games and it doesn't have to be pretty."

Stanley and Rochdale currently occupy the 18th and 19th places respectively in the Sky Bet League One table, yet Coleman is a strong believer that any team can beat another in this division.

"We need to get more wins on the table.

"I personally believe that any team can beat any team in this league."

Midfielder Sean McConville has missed the last two games through injury and Coleman admits that the winger could feature on Saturday, but it depends if he participates in tomorrow's training session.

"We'll see if he trains tomorrow and if he does he's got a chance.

"If he doesn't then hasn't."


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