Accrington Stanley boss John Coleman has urged supporters of the football club to stick behind their relegation-threatened team, in an interview with BBC Radio Lancashire.
The regular League One overachievers are struggling this campaign with no wins in their last four matches leaving them in that final relegation spot in the third tier table.
It doesn’t get any easier for Stanley either with a game tonight at The Wham Stadium against automatic promotion candidates Plymouth Argyle.
John Coleman’s side have also only won five League One matches at home all season long, with recent form pointing in the direction of a Pilgrims away win in Lancashire this Tuesday night.
Accrington are, however, routinely punching above their weight – John Coleman’s men have achieved two mid-table finishes in recent seasons in League One.
This has been achieved despite Stanley’s low stature, with promotion to League Two during the 2005-06 season clinching EFL football after only ever really competing in non-league.
Selling key players such as Dion Charles and Colby Bishop to the likes of League One powerhouses Bolton Wanderers and Portsmouth has also dented Accrington’s stride, resulting in an unfortunate slump this campaign.
New loan signing Aaron Pressley has tried to add a spark of creativity in attack – scoring three goals since making the switch to Stanley – but the Brentford loanee’s goals have dried up.
Losing 1-0 to relegation rivals MK Dons last match saw the Wham Stadium faithful turn sour, with John Coleman urging the fans to stay on side ahead of the next crucial run of fixtures near the foot of the division.
He said: “It was if, on Saturday, that was the final nail in the coffin. We’ve got 10 games to go.
Anyone who knows Accrington knows that we will fight to the bitter end. I was getting abuse hurled at me from the main stand as I was walking off the pitch and some of the players were. Sean McConville was getting it during the game which I think is unacceptable.”
A loyal servant to the club with nearly 300 appearances to his name in Accrington red, Sean McConville also spoke out after the ugly scenes at full-time versus Milton Keynes with BBC Radio Lancashire.
“If you’re coming to a game here, come and support the team. You don’t need to be negative or shout abuse at me or other players coming off the pitch and on the pitch during the game, what are you gaining from it?
”Go home after the game and tweet about me or write about me – do what you want, I don’t care. But, while you’re here, support the lads and support the team.”
Writer’s View
As is always the case in football, when the going gets tough, you will inevitably get pockets of supporters voicing their frustrations. With Accrington sliding down the division, it’s fair that their supporters are aggrieved at their current standing.
Yet, John Coleman has always been a reliable pair of hands in the Stanley hot-seat as boss. Regularly steering Accrington out of trouble, he could well mastermind a relegation escape this campaign.
Fans of Stanley will need to get behind their team with tough games ahead in the hopes they can stay in League One again for another season.
