Accrington Stanley will play in front of fans for the first time in this campaign when they make the trip to Shrewsbury Town tomorrow night (ko 7.45pm).
The Shrews were in FA Cup action on Sunday which means it’s a Wednesday night game for the Reds and, with Shropshire in Tier 2, 2,000 home fans are allowed into the Montgomery Waters Meadow Stadium.
Their new manager, former Burnley boss Steve Cotterill, will also be taking his first league game in charge as he took over from Sam Ricketts last week.
The Shrews are currently second from bottom with one league win so far this season but they are through to the third round of the FA Cup.
“I have seen quite a lot of them, they are not a second from bottom team that’s for sure,” said Coleman.
“They still have the same players so we know how those players will play.
“Steve might tweak a few things and change formations or patterns of play but the same players are still there and we know what their strengths are and we have to come up with a plan to try and negate them.”
The Reds boss admitted it was weird having a weekend off after being knocked out of the FA Cup but he felt it was needed.
“I went to watch a player in the lower leagues on Saturday and watched a bit of football on Sunday, the FA Cup, which was good.
“The lads needed the rest, it’s been quite hectic. There have been a couple of long away trips and quite a tough game against Crewe here at home.
“The games are going to come thick and fast over Christmas and we have got to be prepared.
“I don’t like playing on Wednesday, it upsets the rhythm of what you are doing and gives you a day less to prepare for the Saturday game but we have to deal with the hand we are dealt.”
The Reds have kept five consecutive league clean sheet and are ninth in the table, with games in hand. They have lost just three of their 11 league games so far this season.
“You can’t get too carried away with statistics, you have got to keep going day to day and the most important thing is winning games.
“You can see the lads have got the bit between their teeth, not so much to keep a clean sheet but to win the games. I would like us to be taking more of the chances we are creating though.”
There is bad news and good news on the injury front.
Newcastle loan midfielder Mo Sangare had just returned from a hamstring injury but unfortunately suffered a recurrence in training.
“Mo had an unfortunately slip and reactivated the hamstring injury so he will be out for a couple of months.
“He is a cracking lad and was in tears yesterday and I feel for him but I know he is a strong character and he will battle his way back.”
Chelsea’s Tariq Uwakwe should be back in the frame though after a knee injury has kept him sidelined.
“Tariq trained yesterday which is good so hopefully he will be in contention tomorrow.”
Sean McConville sits out the second of a three game suspension while defender Ross Sykes is still out after having a minor operation.
The full pre-match interview video with John Coleman is available to watch on the club's official YouTube channel, CLICK HERE to find out more!