John Coleman admits Sam Morsy’s comments that Accrington Stanley ‘play like a non league team’ won’t have any impact on him.
The Ipswich skipper spoke to the East Anglian Daily Times after the Reds celebrated a 2-1 victory over Paul Cook’s side on Saturday.
“It doesn’t bother me, you generally find that players who have started to have a bit of a career will be disappointed they have lost at Accrington, it’s understandable,” said Coleman.
“He won’t be the first one to feel like that but players have got to be mindful of their actions. Players have got to be more respectful.
“It’s a long hard trek playing football and you shouldn’t go out your way to make enemies. There is no need to do it and everyone in the heat of the battle is trying to win for the team. It’s like water off a duck’s back to me though.”
Stanley celebrated their first win in five against Town – a much-needed victory – and face Leicester City Under 21s tomorrow in the second group game of the Papa John’s Trophy at the Wham Stadium (ko 7.45pm). They won on penalties against Barrow in the opening group encounter.
Coleman admitted his Monday morning felt a lot better after Harry Pell’s 79th minute winner.
“It’s good but we have got to maintain that we don’t get too high and don’t get too low, one swallow doesn’t make a summer but we needed to get a win for our own sanity and to get our confidence back.
“The manner of it was pleasing, the way all the players stuck to the jobs. I don’t think you could identify one player who had a weak game and, when you get that, when you get every player playing to their potential, you generally win and you have to try and do that more often.
“It’s not easy as it’s an unforgiving league with some strong teams with good players. People go on about money and I have in the past but it’s churlish really because we can’t compete in the money stakes but what we have to compete in is opportunities to give to players, players playing for pride, players playing for the ability to move on, up the ladder both in the pay scale and in the stature of the football that they are playing, and desire and we showed a lot of that on Saturday.
“It’s not all about working hard, it’s about being brave on the ball, being able to pass the ball in the right areas at the right time and I was pleased with the response from the players.
“We managed the game well, we didn’t allow them too many opportunities and you have to pay a compliment to the players for that.”
Coleman says he will shuffle his pack for tomorrow night’s clash as he gives some of Ged Brannan and Andy Gray’s Under 23 players a chance.
“Ged and Andy are doing a smashing job with the 23s and some of them will get an outing but we will go strong, we want to try and win the game.
“We want to get to Wembley and this is a realistic opportunity.
“I have watched Leicester’s Under 23s quite a lot, they are generally a good team, it’s possibly a different type of football but you have to get used to everything.
“I watched the play over the years as Everton play at Southport I can get to their games quite regularly.”
Meanwhile Coleman says a week off – the League One game on Saturday is postponed due to Fleetwood’s international call-ups – is not a problem for him.
“It gets Joe Pritchard a week nearer to being fit which is good, Harvey Rodgers the same and Joe Hardy. The long termers, you are getting them another week down the line which is good.”
Burnley loan Joel Mumbongo (groin) has returned to training this week.
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!