Coleman issues FA Cup warning
‘It’s no foregone conclusion that we’re going to win that replay’
JOHN Coleman has warned Accrington Stanley players and fans against taking anything for granted ahead of his side’s FA Cup replay against National League side Guiseley AFC.
Guiseley held Stanley to a 0-0 draw at Nethermoor Park on Sunday and Coleman is guarding against complacency ahead of the replay on November 14.
“It’s no foregone conclusion that we’re going to win that replay,” Coleman told the club’s official website. “If anyone thinks we are, they could be in for a rude awakening.”
Guiseley’s game plan caught Stanley in an awkward situation, with long throws from Darren Holden proving difficult to deal with.
And the Yorkshirebased club will not be pushovers in the rematch after reaching it this far.
“I’ve got to congratulate Guiseley, they stuck to their game plan really well and their game plan was more effective than ours,” said Coleman after the game.
“We’ve been to watch them; we’ve watched them on videos, we know what they’re about, we know their strengths and weaknesses and we didn’t exploit their weaknesses.
“They really played well to their strengths, they were a constant threat.
“It’s no surprise to me, you’ve got to give them some credit for the way they played.
“It’s not come as a shock to me and I’m relieved to [still] be in it.”
Despite the result, Coleman was content with Stanley’s defensive display.
“They made more chances, our keeper’s made four saves, their keeper’s made none,” the manager added.
“I’ve got to single out Adam Chapman because he made four magnificent saves.
“We have been defending well this season, in general play we do defend well.
“We didn’t hit the target once and that’s not like us this season, that’s disappointing.
“Hopefully, we’ll play a bit better at home.
“I am [delighted to be in the draw], we’ve got games coming thick and fast and we’ve got to make the most of them.”
If Stanley defeat Guiseley at the Wham Stadium, they will face fellow League Two side Mansfield Town, who beat nonleague Shaw Lane 3-1 in the first round.
Stanley have an away fixture to focus on before they can think about the FA Cup, with return to League Two action this weekend when they take on Cambridge United.