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Interviews

INTERVIEW: Coley says silly mistakes are costly

Reds looking for away boost as they travel to relegation-threatened Doncaster tomorrow

21 February 2022

Interviews

INTERVIEW: Coley says silly mistakes are costly

Reds looking for away boost as they travel to relegation-threatened Doncaster tomorrow

21 February 2022

Accrington Stanley are looking for their first League One away win since November when they travel to relegation-threatened Doncaster Rovers tomorrow night.

The Reds have won just three away league games this season which John Coleman says is a worry.

They have a chance to build on that when they travel to the Eco-Power Stadium, with Gary McSheffrey’s side 23rd in the division.

Rovers have two wins in their last five games – against Sunderland and Lincoln – while Stanley are looking to bounce back following a 2-0 loss at Cambridge on Saturday.

“There are ways of getting beat and we found a way to get beat on Saturday because, for 50 minutes, I couldn’t see them scoring, I could only see us winning or drawing,” said Coleman on Saturday’s game.

“But the game isn’t over 50 minutes, you have to be on your best behaviour for 95 minutes, or whatever you have got to play.  

“Those momentary lapses have cost us time and time again this season. We have suffered a lot this season of mistakes leading to goals when we have not been under the cosh.

“Perhaps we defend better when we are under the cosh but you do not want to set out to be under the cosh so it’s a chicken and egg scenario.

“We have to keep going, believing in ourselves. We have a strong squad and we have got to try and pick up points between now and the end of the season.”

Stanley are in 13th place in League One, 12 points off the Play-Offs and 13 points off the bottom four and Coleman knows there is a long way to go as teams battle for points.

“I think we are a good side, we are capable of giving anyone a game home and away and we proved that against the league leaders Rotherham.

“We don’t fear anyone, we try and win every game we play.

“Four teams have to make the drop every year and we are constantly fighting not to be one of them and it’s not easy as there are big clubs in this league.

“When you get to the situation Doncaster are in, and perhaps Crewe, the fear goes out the window as it’s sort of now or never and they can play with an abandon that can sometimes cause you problems and that’s what we have to be mindful of.

“Doncaster have taken the lead in the last two games I have watched them and plucked out some great results, they went to Lincoln and Sunderland and won, and they can be dangerous and we have to be at our best.

“As I say every week, it’s an unforgiving league and it’s even more unforgiving when you make silly mistakes which we have been guilty of a lot this season.

“Doncaster are a decent club, they have played to a decent level. Fans of Doncaster may feel they shouldn’t be struggling in League One but the fact of the matter is anyone can struggle in League One.”

Ross Sykes sits out the second of his two-match suspension while Yeboah Amankwah will have a late fitness test.

Long-term casualty Joe Pritchard joined in a couple of training sessions last week as he looks to bounce back from an injury which has kept him sidelined since August.

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!


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