John Coleman shifts his focus from the League One promotion race to the Papa John’s Trophy as Stanley travel to Lincoln tomorrow night in the last 16 of the now knock-out competition.
The Imps, managed by Michael Appleton, currently top the League One table and the two sides played out a goalless draw at the Wham Stadium in their league encounter in November.
The Reds had a good win at Charlton live on Sky on Friday night which moved them into the Play-Off positions, with games in hand on those above them, but Coleman says they are keeping their feet on the ground as he looks back to the Addicks clash and forwards to tomorrow night.
“You don’t get carried away with things like that, it’s only one win, you only get three points for it and it doesn’t matter who you play.
“It was pleasing it was on the television, maybe teams will take a little bit more notice of us now, but we have just got to try and focus on winning as many games as we can.
“That’s always been our remit every season and nothing has changed. It’s a good win but the moment you step back and start smelling yourself and think you have arrived, you will very quickly plummet down to earth and we will guard against that.
“We have got players in there who will guard against it themselves and keep everyone else in check and they are a great set of lads, they will work hard and try and get as many points as they can.
“Lincoln is a big game, I have made no secret of the fact I want to get to Wembley, I want to get rid of that jinx of us being one of only two clubs in the EFL who haven’t been to Wembley so we would like to get that off our backs.
“It will be a tough game and we have got to gear ourselves up for a lot of tough games in a short space of time.”
Coleman says he will re-shuffle his pack for the 7pm kick off with Michael Nottingham and Jon Russell cup-tied and Cameron Burgess suspended.
“I have got to give others a chance due to players being cup-tied, injuries and suspensions, I have got no choice but to change my starting XI but we focus a lot on shape in training and patterns of play and players know what is expected of them and whoever goes in to do their jobs will be aware of what their roles are.”
If it’s all-square after 90 minutes at LNER Stadium then it will go straight to penalties.
“I always like cup games, this competition has been maligned but not for me. I like the cup, it’s a realistic chance to get to Wembley we can earn a few bob along the way which is always good for a club of our stature.
“Football is always exciting for me but it’s a pale imitation without the fans but we can only do what we can do and give it our best shot and we will do.”
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!