This Week's Opposition: Accrington Stanley

Photo Credit: Accrington Stanley

Pompey have suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time under John Mousinho, following Saturday’s 1-0 loss at home to league leaders Sheffield Wednesday. Up next, a trip to Accrington Stanley awaits the Blues.

Accy have managed to stop Portsmouth from securing a victory at the Crown Ground in each of their last 5 meetings there. Pompey were last victorious on this pitch back in March 2016, when Michael Doyle’s thunderous volley helped Paul Cook’s side to a 3-1 win in League Two.

Here’s a closer look into the side aiming to avoid the drop back down to the 4th tier this term.

MANAGER

Between 1999 and 2012, John Coleman had managed Accrington Stanley, whom he was able to have success with, winning promotion on 3 occasions with the final one in 2006 resulting in the club’s entry into the Football League.

In January 2012, Coleman and his assistant Jimmy Bell left Lancashire to take position in the dugout at Rochdale, however they returned to Accy just 20 months later, following less than successful stints at Southport and Sligo Rovers.

Since his re-appointment at the Crown Ground in September 2014, Coleman has overseen over 450 league matches and has taken the club from the 4th tier of English football into League One, following promotion as Champions of League Two in 2018.

ONE TO WATCH

Brentford loanee Aaron Pressley, who is squad number 20 at Accrington, is our one to watch this time around.

The 21-year-old Scottish forward has found the back of the net on 3 occasions in just 8 appearances following his arrival from the West London side back in January.

Pressley spent last season on loan at AFC Wimbledon in League One but managed just 2 goals in 21 league games. He has also been capped by Scotland at Under-16 and Under-17 levels but has yet to receive a call-up for the senior team.

TOP SCORER

Portsmouth-born midfielder Tommy Leigh is currently Accy’s leading scorer both in league and across all competitions.

The 22-year-old, who played for Baffins Milton Rovers and Bognor Regis Town before making the switch to Accrington, has so far contributed to 6 league goals this campaign.

Leigh has also found the back of the net once in The FA Cup this season and on 4 separate occasions on the club’s magnificent run to the Papa John’s Trophy Semi-Finals, where they were denied the chance to play at Wembley by Bolton Wanderers.

CURRENT FORM

Whilst Accrington have lost only 1 of their previous 5 league outings, they remain in true danger of dropping out of League One this season.

John Coleman’s side currently occupy 20th position and are just 2 points better off than Morecambe in 21st, though they have played 2 games fewer than their Lancashire rivals.

Last time out at the weekend, Accy held Charlton Athletic to a 1-1 draw at The Valley, thanks to a first-half opener from veteran Shaun Walley in South London.

Can the Blues return to winning ways and collect their first maximum points return away at Accrington for the first time in over 7 years?

Join the team for all of the unmissable action as Portsmouth travel to Accrington Stanley, when Pompey Live returns this Tuesday (14th of March) from 7pm with Robbie James and Jake Smith - Kick-off at the Crown Ground: 7:45pm!