Accrington Stanley boss gets by with a little help from his friends (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Accrington Stanley boss gets by with a little help from his friends

12:10pm Friday 9th November 2012 in Sport By Andy Cryer, Blackburn Rovers reporter

LEAM Richardson’s manag-erial career may have started a little earlier than he expected but he is relishing every minute of it as he uses ‘the old pals act’ to succeed.

Accrington Stanley’s new boss, who became the second youngest manager in the Football League when he made the step up from assistant in the wake of Paul Cook’s departure, has made an unbeaten start to life in the hot seat.

And, ahead of his first home game in permanent charge, as Northampton Town visit tomorrow, Richardson has revealed how he is using all his connections to help him be the best he can be.

Richardson, who is currently searching for new recruits on the field as well as an assistant boss off it, said: “It is something I have always wanted to do, even though it has come a few years earlier than is probably ideal.

“You just have to sink your teeth into it.

“I have had some very, very good advice from people who have very, very good jobs in the game.

“From the Premier League down to the Conference.

“I am taking that on board. I still speak to the two previous managers at this club, John Coleman and Paul Cook, on a daily basis, which is fantastic.

“I don’t think you ever stop learning or getting the advice that you need.

“There are too many to name.

“Neil McDonald at West Ham, Phil Brown, Rob Kelly at Nottingham Forest. Alan Irvine at Everton.

“There are so many more, it is fantastic help for me.

“They are not only giving advice but will help me out with players as well.

“It doesn’t harm if you have good links. People like that who have been around the game for so long, it is fantastic to get help from them.”

Stanley entertain Northampton tomorrow sitting in 13th position in League Two, a point ahead of the Cobblers and just four points off the play-off spots.

Richardson believes the next couple of months could be a defining period in the club’s season.

He said: “If you want to do anything in this league you must look to get positive results at home.

“It is great how far we have come and we won’t stop by trying to push further.

“In a matter of a week you have seen everything that we have to offer.

“Against Bristol Rovers I thought for 90 minutes we offered a threat, going to Fylde we offered a great goal threat going forward and then at Morecambe our shape and distribution was not great but the desire and application was still there.”

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