Steve Davis on tough Accrington clash to end the year.

Last season’s play-off contenders Accrington Stanley maybe struggling at the wrong end of the table, but Crewe Alexandra manager Steve Davis says that it is always a difficult game against a John Coleman side.

Stanley were incredibly unlucky not to have won automatic promotion last season and then were knocked out of the play-off stages by eventual winners AFC Wimbledon over two legs.

Ahead of our home match with Accrington Stanley this weekend, Steve has nothing but praise for Coleman and the job he continues to do for the Lancashire club.

“John is a lovely bloke and has done a great job at Accrington with limited resources. He works with virtually nothing but still manages to put out competitive teams. I have nothing but respect for him.

“He is a fighter and his teams always compete and I’m sure he will be looking for a better second half of the season, like we are.

“It is a difficult game. They probably overachieved with what they did last season and then as we know, when you do well you tend to lose your better players. They lost two to Rangers and they had done well for the club and been match winners. It becomes even more difficult when your better players leave.

He added: “But John and his players are fighters and it will be a hard game for us. They play football and get it down and have good movement in the final third, so we know it won’t be easy. It never is against John Coleman’s sides.”