John Coleman knows the games in hand will be physically demanding but has every confidence his squad can cope.
The Reds didn’t play over the Christmas period, with games at Doncaster and against Sunderland called off due to Covid-19 in the opposition camp, after missing four games at the end of October/November due to the virus in the Reds’ camp.
Stanley are hopeful the home clash with second place Portsmouth will go ahead at the Wham Stadium on Saturday, with frost covers on after the recent cold weather.
And while the eighth placed Reds are playing catch-up – they have played 16 games as opposed to most others having played at least twice more – Coleman isn’t too concerned at the moment.
“It has been frustrating over Christmas as it’s been stop-start,” said the Reds boss. “You prepare for one game and it’s off and then prepare for the next one and it’s off.
“You work on different styles and tactical formations and then it’s ripped up and then you start preparing for the next one and it’s ripped up again.
“It’s very frustrating but there are a lot worse things happening in the world than us having a few games called off.
“People do equate games in hand to points and that is very rarely the case. I am just looking at each game and we will give them all our best shot.
“I know playing catch-up will be physically demanding but we have lads here who are keen to do well although we will need some luck with injuries and suspensions.
“We are hoping to sign someone in early January but there is no rush after that and we will look around and see if there is anyone to suit us.”
Pompey are five points ahead of the Reds having played three games more and are unbeaten in their last four league encounters.
Their top scorer is Jon Marquis with 11 goals and they are the joint top scorers in the league with 32 goals so far.
“They are a good side, they are challenging near the top and I am sure it will be an entertaining game. We just want to go out and play, it doesn’t matter who the opposition is at the moment as we just want to play.”