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Interviews

INTERVIEW: Coley looking for five home wins on the bounce

"I can't remember any drab games at the Wham this season, there are always thrills and spills."

24 March 2022

Interviews

INTERVIEW: Coley looking for five home wins on the bounce

"I can't remember any drab games at the Wham this season, there are always thrills and spills."

24 March 2022

John Coleman is looking to make it five home wins on the bounce when they welcome relegation-threatened Gillingham to the Wham Stadium on Saturday.

The Reds have been formidable at home recently, with nine games unbeaten and four wins on the trot.

The Gills, managed by Neil Harris since the end of January, are one point above the relegation places and have three wins, three draws and four losses in their last ten games.

“I guess our home form makes you feel a bit frustrated that we can’t do it away from home,” said Coleman.

“But saying that, it's good for our fans, good for business, we want as many people as we can through the gate and we want to put on a spectacle, that’s our remit.

“First and foremost we are a football club and we want to produce a product on the pitch that people come and watch. I think this season we have at home, we have got good results but also performed well and had some exciting games.

“I can’t remember many drab games at the Wham Stadium this season, there has always been a lot of thrills and spills and good football played.

“Given good conditions, I think you are in for a treat whenever you want Accrington play at home.”

Coleman knows the Gills have provided tough opponents in the past with Harris taking over from Steve Evans in January.

“The team that Gillingham have got will always be difficult to play against. Teams who have a lot to play for you think they can raise their game but no one wants to win a game more than us.

“It doesn’t matter where we are in the league. The idea that they need it more than us, goes out the window.

“We lost the corresponding fixture last year and, for that alone, I want to win as felt we did enough to win that game, a lot of things went against us. We have had good tussles with Gillingham over the years and had some entertaining games.”

Coleman has given a vote of confidence to young goalkeeper Liam Isherwood, with regular keeper Toby Savin suspended for one game following his sending off at Plymouth last weekend. Coleman decided against calling in an emergency loan keeper.

It will be 19-year-old Isherwood’s full debut, after coming through the Reds Academy with Savin.

“Liam has been with us for a while, he is great lad, he has a really good attitude towards football and keen to do well and it’s a big opportunity for him.

“Liam has worked hard enough to get his chance.

“The 23s train with the first team every day, I think they play with maturity as they are used to playing with men every day and the ones that have come through have earned their chance.

“Liam should get a good response. It’s nice to hear that song ‘he is one of our own.’ Clubs sing that for homegrown players and we have had quite a few who have come through the ranks.”

There is also good news on wingers John O’Sullivan and Joe Pritchard, both who are getting back to fitness and should play some part over the next month.

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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