John Coleman admitted he was relieved his side got through 90 minutes of football and hopes the win over Northampton can kick them on tomorrow night at Swindon.
The Stanley boss admitted he has been worried about the after-effects of Covid-19 as it swept through the camp with 17 first team players and two members of staff, Coleman included, suffering.
He had felt they looked sluggish in games against Tranmere in the FA Cup and Barrow in the Papa John’s Trophy but felt they were in better shape following the 1-0 win in Sky Bet League One at the Cobblers on Saturday.
Now he hopes they continue to improve as they visit Swindon Town, who have just appointed John Sheridan as their new boss.
The Robins were promoted as League Two champions last season on the points per game system and are currently 20th in League One, five points behind the eighth placed Reds having played two games more.
Coleman looked back at Saturday and said: “You always want the game to be more comfortable than 1-0 when you are sitting on the sidelines but the endeavour was there and we made the chances which was encouraging against a strong Northampton side.
“I was pleased with the fitness levels we showed, we worked hard last week and all credit to the players for the shift they put in in training and the coaching staff have done really well with them, managed them well and it’s nice when you get the pay off at the end of the week, when you get a win.
“We have still got a little bit trepidation over the fallout from Covid, we have got to put it to the back of our mind, we can’t use it as an excuse when our energy levels dip.
“We know it’s going to be hard and we don’t know the long term effects of this illness.
“To have so many people have it at once isn’t ideal but we have got to start playing the way I know we can.
“We showed it in flashes on Saturday, we are still a work in progress and still got players getting to know each other.
“We are only eight league games in and we won’t be getting carried away with the win but we have got to get as many wins as we can on the board.”
Looking ahead to Swindon, Coleman said: “We have never had a lot of luck at Swindon but I have watched them, they are a good side.
“They played really well in the second half against Shrewsbury Town on Saturday (in a 3-3 draw) and could have won the game.
“They have got good players and it will be a test but we know we have got a good team.
“The table looks good but people always equate games in hand to points and it’s not always the case.
“We have got back to nought on goal difference and it would have been nice to get into the positive but we are not counting games in hand as points and just trying to win games.”
If Sean McConville plays he will pass the record of Andy Procter of games played with Stanley as a league club – both are currently on 308.
“They are two unbelievable servants. Andy Procter was really instrumental in where we are now as Sean is and, if Proc is going to lose his record to someone, he couldn’t get anyone more fitting than Sean who epitomises what Accrington Stanley is all about.”
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!