John Coleman is hoping his Accrington Stanley side can continue to show a strong attacking threat when they visit Shrewsbury Town on Saturday.
Stanley had 23 shots on goal in their 2-2 draw with Charlton in the League One opener on Saturday – six on target – and this was the highest in League One.
Now he wants his side to trouble the keeper more as they look to get their first win on board against the Shrews, who drew 0-0 with Morecambe in their first match of the campaign.
“The pleasing thing from Saturday was, out of the 24 teams in our league on Saturday, we had the most shots,” said the Reds boss.
“Everyone was asking questions about us attacking-wise with Colby Bishop and Matt Butcher going, and Ross (Sykes) always chipped in with goals and attempts too, so if we can keep that up creating chances that will bode well for the future.
“I think there was only Carlisle out of the whole 72 teams in the EFL who had similar shots to us and we have just got to improve on that by getting more on target.
“If you keep creating chances you will always be in a game.”
Coleman doesn’t want to dwell on last season’s away record – the Reds won five games on their travels all season and didn’t chalk up an away victory between November and April.
“I don’t get too het up about it. I don’t fit results or form performances around what’s happened in the past.
“You have got to try and get yourself in tip-top condition whether you are home or away.
“What we have to do is work on our defensive duties and our organisation. There were little things we noticed from Saturday, particularly when we watched the game back, and I watched it back twice, just areas we need to improve on and we will work on that.
“We were far better than what I thought we were in the first half, we competed well but we were guilty of giving the ball away and that’s something we are mindful of but we will improve.”
Coleman confirmed there will be some incomings and outgoings over the next few weeks before the transfer deadline on 1st September.
“We are still working on the recruitment, we have got quite a big squad at the moment and we don’t want to overburden ourselves.
“I will envisage some of the younger lads going out on loan in the next couple of weeks to develop them but I am pleased with the way the squad is building together and the togetherness of the squad.
“We are possibly a bit imbalanced with the squad, probably too many midfielders and not enough defenders, but we will address it.
“Fitness-wise, Joe Pritchard had some niggles but he has had a scan and he is fine; Matt Lowe has a swollen nose; Michael Nottingham is a couple of weeks away and David Morgan a bit longer.
“Ryan Astley played 45 minutes for the Under 23s midweek and came through unscathed and we have Ros (Longelo) and Toby (Savin) back from suspension.”
Shrewsbury, under former Burnley boss Steve Cotterill, will provide tough opposition but Coleman says he is concentrating on what his side can do.
“Shrewsbury have an experienced manager, they have organised themselves well, they have made some good signings in the summer, and they will be disappointed they didn’t beat Morecambe on Saturday.
“Morecambe is a tough place to go but Shrewsbury had possibly the better chances. They are getting players back from injury. We will be wary of them and got to make them wary of us.
“People say they know what to expect of Accrington. Do they? I think we mix it up quite well, we can be physical, we can pass the ball, we can go long, we can go short, and sometimes perceptions of clubs become a myth.
“I certainly think it’s a myth that the perception of Accrington at the moment is that we are a big, strong, bruising side.
“Let people think what they think, I am not bothered. I know what we do and what we do well, I know there are areas to improve and we are always looking to improve.”
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!