INTERVIEW: John previews Morecambe

John Doolan has made sure his players know how big the Lancashire derby is tomorrow - and hopes a win over Morecambe can finally kick start Accrington Stanley’s season.

Neither The Shrimps or Stanley have chalked up a League Two win yet this season and they both occupy the relegation slots.

Doolan has tried to take the pressure off his players, but admits failing to win games of football are causing him and assistant Ged Brannan, a former Morecambe player and manager, 'sleepless nights'.

"We have had meetings this week, we have learnt from Tuesday's defeat to Cheltenham, and we just need to win a game, it's as simple as that.

"It is worrying, and it is concerning in terms of not holding onto leads or seeing it over the line.

"We are conceding goals, that's what is wrong.

"In terms of going forward, we haven't got a problem scoring goals, but there is a nervousness, a naivety, silly mistakes, unlucky, balls coming off lads, and falling to a player unmarked in a box, whatever it is.

"There's all sorts of factors of why you can’t keep the ball out of the back of the net.

"At the end of the day, we need to win a game of football and that's what we are going to do tomorrow."

He admits the league position is hurting everyone connected with the club at the moment.

"It hurts all of us. Me and Ged are passionate about what we do. We have sleepless nights, we love this club, we care about this club, we want to do it for the owner, the Board, the fans, and the people who work at the club.

"We put the trust in the players we have brought to the club and we give them a plan, put them on the pitch, and we want to see the results. Hopefully them results will start coming, beginning tomorrow.

"I am convinced we will get the points to stay up. We know we have to get 40-50 plus points. We know what the job is, we know it's a tough task, but we are up for the fight, we have got a togetherness, and we know what we have to do is win a game of football, and then take it to the next step.

"I am the right man the job, if I didn't believe that I wouldn't be here. That's out of my hands where it goes next, but I am fighting big time and the players are fighting big time, and it's just things happening on the pitch.

"I have loads of people texting me telling me we are not far away, we just need to get the win and it will snowball, and hopefully that comes tomorrow."

Morecambe, under Derek Adams, is always a special game.

The Reds boss continued: "It’s massive. It's a big derby, it means everything to our fans. Players know it's a massive game and they have been told in no uncertain terms.

"I take the pressure off them and take the flak, but it starts tomorrow, how big this game is, and how they are ready to fight for this football club.

"Players have to produce on the pitch. We have got to nullify their strengths, but we have to make sure we jump all over them tomorrow.

"Morecambe are in same position as ourselves, fighting for their lives.

"They are all must-win games, but in terms of the situation, we haven't won a game, which is fact, so the next game becomes bigger. It's big, because it's a derby. I love playing Morecambe, it's a good day out for both sets of fans, it's a challenge for our players. We will turn up tomorrow and perform."

Blackburn loan defender Jake Batty is fit, after coming off in the 2-1 loss to Cheltenham midweek.