Accrington Stanley are looking to make it a hat-trick of victories this season over League One leaders Rotherham United but John Coleman knows how tough that will be.
The Reds overcame the Millers at the AESSEAL New York Stadium in the League Cup in August with a late winner from Colby Bishop while Sean McConville’s late goal on Boxing Day halted Rotherham’s 21 game unbeaten run.
Paul Warne’s side are the joint top scorers in the league and have only lost five on their 28 league games so far.
“Every away game is difficult in this league, it’s an unforgiving league, every one is capable at this level and you have to be at it every single game,” said the Reds boss.
“On Saturday we could be playing top of the league or bottom of the league and they will still pose problems, different ones which you have to address but these are the game we like.
“We relish the challenge, we like planning for it and we like studying the opposition and coming up with a plan that you think you can use to defeat them. That worked not so long back but Rotherham was our last win.
“The fact is we know we can beat them, that’s not saying we will beat them, but we know we can as we have done.”
Since the win over the Millers, Stanley have drawn four and lost one and are still searching for their first win of 2022.
“Rotherham are well-organised, they have got a good manager, good players and they are comfortable in the system that they play, everyone knows their jobs and they are effective,” continued Coleman.
“They were very effective the other night against Doncaster (in a 0-5 win).
“Even against the top sides, though, we have always been in the game, we have competed well and that’s all we can ask.
“You need luck along the way but you have to put the effort in to match them first and I don’t think anyone can ever criticise our effort.”
Striker Colby Bishop came off at half-time in the 2-2 draw with Morecambe but Coleman was relieved it’s ‘not ligament damage’ and the club will monitor his progress.
Midfielders Seamus Conneely and David Morgan are both pushing for places in the first XI, Liam Coyle is back from suspension while Coleman said Joe Pritchard ‘isn’t too far away.’
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!