Oppositions View - Accrington Stanley

How do you assess your sides recent form?

Well in the last five it has been four defeats but an all important victory last week. Further, just nine points from a possible 33 does not make for good reading. It has been slow to say the very least. Only seven home wins is amongst the worst records in the division and it has been on their travels,

Roberts... Departure has hit Stanley

Stanley have produced some of their better stuff, which is quite unusual. Accrington were promoted largely because of their great home form and survived in League Two for the same reason.

How would you compare Accrington's second season in the League to the first?

I would say last season was a far bigger success. The player seemed to relish the games far more. It was a new experience and that will to win seemed to carry them through. It has been a lot harder this time round and they have been near the bottom because of a bad run in the second half of the campaign. It sounds bizarre but Accrington just do not draw enough games. They need to turn some losses into draws to move into the midtable area. Stanley have lost winger Gary Roberts and this has really been noticed.
Stanley have really leaked goals too this season. How much of a concern is that?

Very much so. With 77 goals conceded, they have the worst defence in the league. John Coleman has been unable to ever field a settled back four and it has really been a factor. The best formula has not been found. However, Peter Cavanagh is a very highly rated centre-back and has just returned in the last game from an injury since November. It was marked with a clean sheet and a win so it is a relief. He came from the Liverpool academy, but never quite made the grade. He joined Stanley as a stepping stone but remains here. He is a bit of a fans favourite too.

How much credit must boss John Coleman take for preserving Stanley's League status for two consecutive seasons?

Coleman should take credit from that of course. Accrington attract the lowest

Coleman... Striving for more

crowds in the divison by some margin and with a low budget to work with, his achivements have been good. He has fitted in some solid players to the squad with good use of the loan market.

With safety now secured, what are the aims for next season, to purely survive?

Coleman will never accept standing still with this club. He has vowed to make big changes over the summer months labelling the period as a possible transition. He wants to carry on the building of the club. He wants to take the club into League One. Whether Coleman can attract good enough players, remains to be seen. The club also have to bring the Fraser Eagle Stadium up to League Two standards. That is likely to cost £1 million so getting the money may prove difficult.

Who is your danger man?

Paul Mullin. He is on a bit of sticky patch with just two goals in the last 16 but he has still clocked up 13 goals for Stanley in all competitions this season. I

Whalley... Youngster has impressed

think his problem has been having too many different strike partners to really settle with. He is the danger man. Shrewsbury came in with a £75,000 bid for him in January. The club accepted but the player opted to stay with Stanley. Mullin is an Accrington legend as the leading appearence holder.

Who else should we look out for?

Mullin's most recent strike partner Shawn Whalley. He is a young lad who has rose through the ranks and is enjoying a good run in the team at present. He is very quick and could cause problems for Notts. Ian Craney too. He left the club to join Swansea for £120,000 but after the arrival of Diego Martinez, he returned for a cut price £85,000. He has not entirely recaptured his form at Accrington but he is starting to show his old promise. He can change a game.

How do you view the relegation battle and Notts' plight?

Dagenham are in big trouble in my opinion. Wrexham are gone, that looks a formality now. We've still got Bury, Notts and Wrexham to play, so we could

Mullin... Robson's tip

still have say in what happens. I would not like to condemn anyone in particular. It is so close. For me, Stanley are safe. They finished 20th with 50 points last season and have 48 so far. They should beat that and beat the drop.

What sort of encounter are you expecting?

A great day out for the fans. Stanley usually only take between 100 and 150 to away games so numbers are not massive but they make some noise. Meadow Lane is a nice ground, so hopefully the fans will put in a colourful supporting display.

Score prediction?

2-1 Stanley! Mullin to score at least one.