JOHN Coleman admits his Accrington Stanley side may need to modify their approach moving in to the winter months but that won’t come at the expense of his footballing philosophy.

Coleman’s side sit third in League Two and head to Lincoln City tomorrow, 11 days on from their Checkatrade Trophy tie at Sincil Banks in which the Imps won 3-2.

The game will once again be a contrast of style between the hosts’ more direct approach, which Coleman said suited the conditions in the previous meeting, and Stanley’s more measured approach.

This time around, Coleman is looking for his side to stamp their authority on the game as they chase a first away victory in the league since a 2-0 win at Crewe Alexandra on October 21.

“The pitch at Lincoln was very difficult the week before last and so we might have to modify our game but we certainly won’t be changing our philosophy or our ethos and style,” Coleman told the Lancashire Telegraph.

“But we might have to tweak it a little.

“We’re not going to change our style, we might have to adapt and the good teams can adapt.

“The really, really top teams have a belief that they can win wherever they go and we have to believe that and that’s what we have been trying to instil in to our players since we walked through the door in pre-season.”

But there was certainly no criticism from Coleman about Lincoln’s direct approach which has brought the Imps much success. Promoted from the National League last term they have enjoyed a strong start to this campaign, sitting sixth in the standings, three points behind Stanley in third.

And Coleman added: “People complain about other people’s styles but I have never been a believer in that and never subscribed to that.

“You have to deal with whatever the opposition bring to you.

“They are very good side with a great management team who work ever so hard to perfect what they do and analyse and improve.

“They are very methodical and stick to their game and whatever game that be you have to applaud them.

“But we have to stamp our authority on the game and I know if we play our game then there at not many teams that can match us in this league. Unfortunately we don’t do it all the while which is why we don’t win every week.”

 Coleman once again expects to be without Seamus Conneely but admits fellow injured duo Mekhi McLeod and Erico Sousa are making progress.

He said: “Seamus is still a little bit away but Erico and Mekhi have started running. We will probably know more on them next week.”