John Coleman is aiming for three successive League One wins when Accrington Stanley make the trip to Cambridge United on Saturday.
Mark Bonner’s side were promoted as runners-up in League Two last season and are currently in 16th place in League One.
They lost narrowly to the 13th placed Reds in August – Matt Butcher and Harry Pell were on target for Stanley while Joe Ironside, their top scorer with 13 goals and three assists, got the goal for United.
Coleman said the focus swiftly changed to Cambridge after last night’s game at Sheffield Wednesday was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, after the Reds had travelled to Hillsborough.
“It was disappointing having to go all the way to Sheffield and it has affected how we trained this week in preparation for the game but as you get older, you get accustomed to dealing with things that are in your control, that you can have influence on,” said the Reds manager.
“You have got a lot of lads who are coiled up like a spring who have nowhere to outgo that so you have to be mindful in training you don’t go overboard but we have experienced coaches to deal with that.
“Our focus quickly shifted to Cambridge and they will pose their own problems, they are a good side.
“I thought they did well when they came here, that was a game that could have gone either way.
“They have had some impressive results and taken to League One really well. It sounds a cliché but every team in this league poses you problems and you have got to deal with them.
“Teams who come up generally are on a crest of a wave, they are used to winning games, their players want to step up and do well, the adrenaline kicks in and clubs seem to want to have a good tilt at it.
“It’s the most concatenated league, there are no real stand out teams.
“I know Rotherham are nine points clear but they are not far and away in a different league playing-wise to other teams in the league and there is no team which is cut adrift drastically who can’t perform at the bottom end. It’s an exciting league.
“The last time we had three successive League One wins was August and it’s difficult. Any manager will tell you it’s difficult to get three wins on the bounce, unless you are Liverpool and Man City. I don’t think anyone else can harbour hopes of doing that on a regular basis.”
Stanley have 15 games left this season and, while Coleman is looking for the magical 50/52 points which usually guarantees safety, he is also conscious that a run now could have them looking at the top six. They are currently 10 points outside the Play-Off spots.
“There will be a couple of teams who go on a good run and a couple of teams who go on a bad run.
“You have got to try and keep your performances consistent. If you do that, and you are lucky with injuries and suspensions, you can pick up the amount of points you require.
“It’s when things go against you, you lose players to injuries, you have bad decisions, your levels of performances drop, pitches change and you find it difficult to cope, then you are looking where your next win or points come from.
“There is a third of the season left, within ten weeks we will be preparing for next season and I already have half an eye on that anyway, but there is a long way to go.
“Teams who can go on a good five/six/seven game run will catapult up the table.”
Yeboah Amankwah would have missed the Owls game with an ankle injury but Coleman is hoping he is fit for Saturday.
Striker Cody Adedoyin was sick yesterday but again, the Reds boss was hoping he will recover in time for Cambridge.
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!