Match Preview | Accrington Stanley v Argyle
On Tuesday night, Argyle travel to the Wham Stadium to face an Accrington Stanley side who have lost their last two games, both at home.
Stanley were beaten 3-1 by Portsmouth then, on Saturday, lost 1-0 to Milton Keynes Dons. They have won five of their 18 home games this season, drawing five and losing eight. Accrington are 21st in Sky Bet League One, with 35 points from 36 games.
Stanley traveled to Home Park in October, where they were beaten 3-0. Argyle scored via Niall Ennis in the first half, with Sam Cosgrove scoring just after the hour mark, and Ryan Hardie sealing matters in injury time. The game is also remembered for Dan Scarr and Accrington's Seamus Conneely both being sent off for the same tackle, as both were stretching for the ball.
Last season, Argyle won 4-1 at the Wham Stadium, taking the lead via an Ethan Hamilton own goal and a Jordan Houghton strike just before half time. Tommy Leigh pulled one back, but Ryans Broom and Hardie carried Argyle to a comfortable win. At Home Park, the Greens bagged four again, with Panutche Camara, Joe Edwards and Ennis sending the Pilgrims on their way, even before Stanley keeper Toby Savin was sent off. Hardie, as seems customary, scored to round things off.
Leigh is Accrington's leading goalscorer this season, with six league goals and a further five in cup competitions. Long-serving midfielder Sean McConville is set to make appearance number 341 for Stanley, although Conneely, who is on 316, missed Saturday's game with injury and is a doubt.
Manager John Coleman is the second-longest manager in England's top four divisions, behind only Simon Weaver of Harrogate Town. Coleman has been in position since September 2014, but even this spell is far short of his first stint as Accrington boss. He previous took charge from 1999-2012, meaning that over his entire tenure he has been in charge for over 20 years, and has presided over more than 1,000 games.
Schumacher Says
“We know that every time you go to Accrington, it’s always a tough night. We need to make sure we're ready for that.
“It'll be a similarly tough game, but I think the styles will be completely different because Forest Green came here with a plan on Saturday to sit back and defend in their own half.
“Every time you play Accrington, they're completely different to that. They are one of the highest pressing teams in the league; they come and get right after you, they're aggressive.
“I remember in the first game here, for half an hour, they caused us loads of problems and forced us into mistakes. We expect the game like that where they'll get on the front foot.
“They need to win. They had a tough result on Saturday against MK Dons on, so I'm sure they'll be looking to put that right.
Team News
Mike Cooper continues to be out with a long-term knee injury, and Adam Randell is yet to recover from an ankle strain. Schumacher reports Sam Cosgrove to be 50/50 for the fixture.
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased on the day from the away ticket booth. If you are yet to collect tickets you have already purchased, that can also be done from the away ticket booth. It is situated near the back of the away terrace.
A Strip for the Trip
Argyle will be wearing our away kit for this game.
Argyle TV
The game will be covered on Argyle TV, with commentary from Charlie Price and Aaron Cusack. Both will be on hand for a pre-match show which will be available for free on YouTube from 6.45pm.
The game is available to stream for domestic and overseas supporters.
