‘PLAYERS knocking on the door’ is a term often used in football.

But Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman says that is what he is experiencing at the moment.

Competition for places is strong in the Reds camp, sparked by an upturn in form since Coleman’s return for a second spell in charge.

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Stanley suffered a setback on Saturday with only a second home league defeat since the opening day.

They will be looking to make amends when they turn their attentions to the FA Cup and a second round showdown with League One Yeovil Town on Saturday.

In the process, Coleman will use the opportunity to shake up the team which suffered a 3-2 defeat at home to Exeter City on Friday night - a result which prevented them from closing the gap on the play-off places.

The Stanley boss will make at least two changes, with loanees John O’Sullivan and Sean Maguire not permitted to play in the competition by parent clubs Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United.

James Gray and Josh Windass were drafted in for the initial tie at Meadow Lane, while Piero Mingoia and Marcus Carver started the replay, with Carver scoring the decisive goal early in the second half.

Mingoia responded by scoring twice in a 2-1 win over Cambridge United in the following game, which has led to selection dilemmas for Coleman.

“I have got them knocking on my door,” he said. “You’ve got to expect it.

“I did something that I don’t normally do (before the Cambridge game), I pulled everyone that wasn’t in the squad and had an individual chat with them before the game. I don’t normally do that because I know from when I was a player, as soon as I heard the words ‘you’re not plying’ I switched off. I just tried to make them feel part of it and ensure them how important it is that they stay with us because it could be their chance next week.”

Former striker Coleman added that his unorthodox approach to announcing the team struck a chord personally.

“I pointed out to them the error of my ways, because when I was their age – although I was only playing part-time and it wasn’t my job – when a manager told me I wasn’t playing I’d spit my dummy dramatically. I was a spoilt brat really. I’d slam the door and storm out,” he said. “But I didn’t realise at the time how disrespectful I was being to my team-mates.”

Coleman will be hopeful of a better result than their last game, and he has reason to be optimistic despite facing opposition from a higher division.

For Stanley responded to their last League Two defeat - a 1-0 loss at Carlisle - by beating League One oppositon in the FA Cup first round, albeit a replay after holding Notts County to a goalless draw.