John Coleman knows Accrington Stanley need to take their chances if they are to overcome in-form Walsall tomorrow night.
The Saddlers have won three straight games, moving them up to tenth position in League Two.
Just before Christmas, Stanley defeated Mat Sadler’s team 2-1; but, on Saturday, the Reds lost 1-0 to Crawley Town despite having numerous chances.
Stanley’s current run is WDL WDL, and they are yearning for stability to move up the table from 14th place.
“I have said it all season, results go on the bounce of a ball,” stated Coleman. “If you watch Crawley’s goal again, Tommy Leigh does a better job than anyone else in the league; but, when he heads it away from the six-yard box, he gets half-pushed under it, maybe by his own man, and our safety net vanishes.
“Their headline strikes the wall. It hits the post and disappears if that describes us. It goes in for them when it strikes the post. That’s how football works.
“Aside from one excellent save, Radek Vitek hasn’t really had any difficulties. Although we’ve got some fantastic opportunities as well, you have to move on to the next round.
“After the game, I spoke with Scott Lindsey, the manager of Crawley, and he apologised. I told him not to apologise for winning, but he was upset that we had so many opportunities against them. That had irritated him.
“We are happy that we are once again controlling the game, creating opportunities, and pressuring the opposition.
You have a chance to win games if you play like their goalkeeper, who has made two or three extremely nice saves.”
Academy-made item In the senior league, 16-year-old Anjola Popoola made his debut off the bench, while Lewis Trickett started his first game.
Coleman went on, “The pleasing thing is that we are still competing in the game despite having played so many young guys.”
“You don’t think the young guys would be overwhelmed as they emerge. One or two is generally ideal as you wouldn’t want too many.”
In their previous three games, Walsall has defeated Mansfield, Morecambe, and Harrogate, the league leaders.
Coleman went on: “Walsall took their chances in the game against Morecambe, which I watched. There wasn’t much in the game.
“One thing we need to be cautious of is that we know they are willing to take risks.
“We know their style of football and we have to come up with a plan to stamp our brand of football on the game and make that the dominant factor.”
Along with the long-term injured, Tommy Leigh is 50/50 to return, and Josh Woods and Alex Henderson are unlikely to be ready. Brad Hills misses his second of four games due to suspension.
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