 Coleman is confident Accrington can be upwardly mobile |
Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman is targeting both ends of the transfer spectrum as he looks to strengthen his squad. Coleman is planning to bring in a couple of new faces before the 23 November deadline for loan signings.
He may then be active again when the transfer window reopens in January as Stanley look to make their mark in their first season back in the Football League.
And Coleman has made it clear that he will search at every level for players he can believe will strengthen his squad.
He told BBC Sport: "Our target areas are players from League One, the Championship and the Premiership who are not currently playing.
"Or, players in non-league teams who are doing well at that level. There's potential there for us to tap into, and we have to explore all avenues."
 | Players have to come here and take their chance, because this is a great stage for them |
Stanley have an on-loan Premiership player in their squad in the shape of Charlton goalkeeper Rob Elliot, who played a major part in their Conference title success last season.
Meanwhile, Coleman's most recent acquisitions have both come out of non-league football.
Winger Shaun Whalley, 19, has just joined on loan from Unibond League side Witton Albion with a view to a permanent move in January.
And striker Leighton McGivern, 22, was playing local football on Merseyside following his release from Rochdale 18 months ago.
 Accrington returned to the Football League back in August |
Coleman has an impressive track record in spotting unearthed talent in the lower leagues and has high hopes for their pair. He said: "I'm hoping Leighton will settle down with us because he has great potential and I think Shaun will do well here."
Whalley may be asked to fill the boots of Gary Roberts, who is now playing in the Championship with Ipswich Town after Stanley last month sanctioned a move for a player they signed from Welshpool in 2005.
And goalscoring midfielder Ian Craney, signed from Altrincham in June 2004, could be the next to be snapped up.
"If Ian keeps playing the way he is then we will have our hands full to keep hold of him.
"Players have to come here and take their chance, because this is a great stage for them," Coleman added.
Accrington are not just planning for the future, though, as they look to continue the climb that has taken them from the Unibond First Division to League Two in six years.
| We have got quite a bubbly squad and they don't let their heads down |
Their momentum has been slowed by a run of three league defeats, which have left them below half-way in the table, and an FA Cup exit at Mansfield.
The departure of Roberts and injuries to key players have taken their toll, but Coleman believes his side can overcome a rare setback.
"Performance wise, we have been playing some of our best football for a long while," he added.
"Having a lot of players out at once is a bit of a blow but I think we'll be okay. We have got quite a bubbly squad and they don't let their heads down.
"We just need to turn performances into results, as we have not been battered by anybody this season.
"If we can just tighten up a bit and stop conceding goals at the wrong time I think we could go on a decent run.
"I think the league is going to tighten up at both ends and if we can have the kind of run like we had the month before last, you never know where that can take you."
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