JOHN Coleman is expecting the biggest test of Accrington Stanley’s promotion credentials so far this season when they host Wycombe Wanderers tomorrow.

The Reds are looking to bounce back from a 1-0 FA Cup defeat at the hands of Portsmouth last weekend in what Coleman described as a rare occasion this season when his side were outplayed.

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Pompey, under former Stanley boss Paul Cook, altered their tactics to negate the attacking threat of a Reds side who had scored 20 goals in seven games prior to the defeat on the south coast.

Coleman knows that his side’s bright start to the campaign means they can no longer fly under the radar in the League Two promotion race.

“It’s a massive game for us because we’re hoping for a response,” said the Reds chief.

“There’s a spotlight on us now. People are looking at us to see how we react.

“I think this will be the biggest test of our credentials this season.

“On the back of a defeat adds a bit more spice. I’m hoping our players can step up to the plate.”

Stanley were one of the favourites for relegation before a ball was kicked this season, but Coleman’s side have proved the doubters wrong and find themselves fourth in League Two, with a game in hand on the teams around them.

The increased focus on the Wham Stadium means the Reds may no longer be able to surprise teams with the quality of their attacking football.

They will have to find a way to adapt when teams are set-up to counter what they do.

Coleman said: “Portsmouth did a particular job on us and it worked. There’s no guarantee that job will work again.

“They had a lot of things in their favour on Saturday, mostly the conditions and also that 40-odd fouls were allowed to go unpunished.

“We’ve got to adapt our game to meet with how teams play against us.

“We’ve got to be able to open teams up, particularly at home, the onus is on us to win every game we play.

“We set-up to try and win every game.”

Coleman is hoping his young team can continue to show the fearless attitude to their football which has seen them put themselves firmly in the promotion picture.

He said: “As you get closer to the finishing line, people do get jittery. We’ve got a set of young lads who are all bouncing off each other at the moment. They do play without any fear and I hope that continues.”

Coleman is looking to the Accrington public to be out in force and support his side tomorrow.

Stanley’s 12 home games in all competitions this season have produced 45 goals at an average of nearly four a game.

Coleman believes tomorrow’s clash with the Chairboys could be a festive cracker.

He said: “It’s going to be difficult in the next few weeks playing at home because people are looking at Christmas. But this could be an early Christmas present for people if they come and watch our game.

“We’re capable of turning in a performance that is worthy of the money you pay, and we have been doing all season.”

The manager looked forward to seeing fans at the forthcoming match.

He added: “It would be great to get a big crowd on Saturday and supporting us like the old days, where they got behind us with every kick of the ball and more or less willed us over the line.”