Accrington Stanley v Shrewsbury preview: Town must be on song at the Wham
Luke Waterfall is well placed to assess Accrington Stanley’s progress.
The big defender locked horns with Stanley three times last season as a Lincoln City player.
So he should have an upper hand when planning to keep John Coleman’s side out today as Salop travel to the aptly-named Wham Stadium on Boxing Day.
Stanley were crowned League Two champions last season, seven places and 18 points clear of Waterfall’s Imps. The sides won their respective home league games, but Lincoln edged a knockout Checkatrade Trophy tie that eventually took them to a Wembley date with Shrewsbury.
Town have the upper hand on Coleman’s men so far this term. A 1-0 home victory under John Askey in October, where Stanley shot-stopper Connor Ripley was dismissed on 16 minutes, earned just a second win of the season.
“They’re a dangerous side,” Waterfall warned. “We know about them from earlier in the season. I’m sure the staff will do loads of homework.
“We’re expecting a really tough game, as you always do going to Accrington Stanley.
“If we’re on our game like Saturday we won’t go far wrong. I played against Accrington a few times last season with Lincoln in the league and Checkatrade Trophy.
“They were a very good side last year, rightly so they went up as champions and are mixing it again this year in League One, as I thought they would do.
“They play some lovely football, they have a good manager with good players who work hard. A mixture of those will bring success.”
Merseysider Coleman spent 13 years in charge of Stanley from 1999 but left for an unsuccessful spell with Rochdale.
He returned in September 2014 and has looked at home ever since, guiding his team up the Football League with a side bursting with hard work and talent.
“They had Billy Kee and Kayden Jackson who got a good move to Ipswich. Billy is doing it again this year, he’s a good player, I know him quite well,” Waterfall continued.
“But if we’re on our game we’re more than a match for anybody in the league and we can go and get a result.”
Like Town last season, Stanley were credited with running over their opposition on their way to victory.
Asked how far hard work can take you, he replied: “It can take you a lot of the way. Since the gaffer’s come in we’ve been quite big on running stats.
“It’s not the be all and end all but it definitely helps.
“The more you run the more second balls you pick up and more attacks you have and less defending.”
Sam Ricketts’ Shrewsbury are tasked with improving their poor away form, which is the worst (one win) in the division.
Stanley have won just three from 10 home games this season.
