WAITING GAME
Why Accrington Stanley boss John Coleman has had to stay patient
IF GOOD things really do come to those who wait, then Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman can look forward with eagerness to the next couple of weeks.
The experienced boss, who guided Stanley to the League Two title last term, admits the current transfer window, which allows EFL clubs to make loan signings up until the end of the month, has been ‘very frustrating’.
Although Coleman has managed to strengthen his squad by bringing in the likes of goalkeeper Connor Ripley, 25, on a season-long loan from Middlesbrough and 31-yearold former Stanley striker Andy Mangan, he has been thwarted so far in his efforts to bring in a number of young Premier League loanees.
Difficult
And don’t forget he is also having to do without striker Kayden Jackson and defender Janoi Donacien. The duo played key roles in the Lancashire club’s march to glory last term, but were then snapped up by Paul Hurst’s Ipswich this summer.
“I think things have been more difficult than usual,” said Coleman. “You’ve had the window (for permanent signings) shortening, the World Cup and the Premier League teams wanting to keep their players for longer – everyone’s keeping their powder dry.
“We have four or five targets, but they keep getting put on the back burner. You want to go with your first choices, but you could miss out on others because of that.
“Towards the end of this month, the Premier League clubs can’t say ‘you have to wait’. They’ll have to make a decision. I’ve got three or four lads lined up and I do believe in trying to get the ones you really want.”
If Coleman, below, has to wait to finalise his squad for the opening half of the campaign, then at least he can take heart from the fact that Stanley have shown they have the ability to adapt to League One life this term.
Although a 2-0 defeat at home against Gillingham a couple of weeks ago wasn’t the start they would have wanted, last week’s 2-1 success at Bristol Rovers, thanks to the influential Sean McConville’s double, put them in good spirits.
True, a 6-1 hammering at League Two outfit Mansfield in the Carabao Cup in midweek wasn’t in the script, but it’s clear that the league is the focus for Stanley this term. And Coleman believes his troops are already beginning to understand what’s required of them at the higher level. “We have to be aware of the level we’re playing,” said the 55-year-old Scouser, “and against Gillingham we got punished. They were very effective going forward. “The following week we saw that we can impose our style on teams. We do our homework, but we try not to worry too much about the opposition. We try to focus on what we do.
“From what we’ve seen so far, there’s a bit more pace in the attacking areas and teams are a bit more clinical. I think in any league, it takes about 12 games to see where you are and how you are performing.”
Positive
Coleman is philosophical about losing Jackson and Donacien to Championship outfit Ipswich.
The speedy Jackson, 24, netted 16 goals for Stanley last term and joined the Tractor Boys for a reported £1.5m.
St Lucia-born Donacien, also 24, has initially signed on loan with an agreement for a £750,000 permanent switch once a few work permit issues are resolved.
Coleman added: “It’s always a disappointment to lose your better players, but we have to accept that.
“We have a model of bringing in young, hungry players and we have to be aware of where we are. If an offer is acceptable, we have to take it.
“The positive is that whereas before we were getting £200,000 or £300,000 for our players, now we are getting one or one-and-a-half million for them.
“We can build on the infrastructure of the club with that.”