Accrington Stanley have looked like a different team since the start of October. Their 3-0 victory at Chesterfield makes it four wins from the last six league matches. Their emphatic triumph over a side that had been unbeaten at home makes them The Deck’s League Two Team of the Week.
Accrington Stanley have picked up three wins in 12 days in all competitions and they are The Deck’s latest Team of the Week following Salford City, who were inspired by a loanee of their own to move into mid-table.
20-Year-Old Loanee Starring in First Taste of Senior Football at Accrington Stanley
John Doolan has found his first role as manager a difficult one as Accrington Stanley have been in a period of decline leading to club legend John Coleman departing in March of this year. The current season started with a ten-game winless run and with the club eliminated from the EFL Trophy and Carabao Cup, there was pressure on the manager to turn around the team’s fortunes.
Their impressive run of form has coincided with Southampton loanee Zach Awe finding his feet in the centre of defence. The former Arsenal academy prospect has missed just one game in all competitions and highlighted his excellent ability against Chesterfield, dribbling forward before playing a slick one-two with Dara Costelloe and slotting home.
The goal doubled the lead at the SMH Group Stadium and his defensive work against Dilan Markanday ensured his side kept out a dangerous Chesterfield attack. Awe ranks first at Accrington Stanley for interceptions and second for aerial duels won per game and is hitting his stride in his first spell in the EFL after playing regularly for Arsenal and then Southampton’s academy and development sides.
The 20-year-old was instrumental in the recent win over Barrow and helped keep out free-scoring Walsall in a goalless draw. Mat Sadler’s side were frustrated by the excellent loanee who completed four interceptions and all three of his tackles in a man-of-the-match showing.
Awe has played 40 times at Premier League 2 level over the past two campaigns but is looking to be an accomplished defender early in his loan spell. Despite his large frame, he is comfortable on the ball and his goal against Chesterfield was a touch of class.
He is very difficult for opposition attackers to get past and his excellent reading of the game highlights a wisdom beyond his years.
Upcoming Fixtures and Future Prospects
Accrington Stanley host Swindon Town next weekend in what is a major opportunity to continue their improved run of form. Doolan admitted their game plan against Chesterfield came to fruition but a home match against struggling Swindon will present a different type of test with the same opposition visiting in the second round of the FA Cup at the end of the month.
Away matches at AFC Wimbledon and Bradford City are also on the cards this month and Accrington Stanley must continue to remain in-form after their poor start to the season. A couple of defeats could bring the atmosphere at the club back down and after a difficult couple of years, keeping their head above water in terms of avoiding a relegation battle should be seen as a success.
Accrington Stanley are currently in 18th place but can boast individuals of a higher quality compared to some of the teams below them. If Doolan cannot keep this side comfortably clear of the bottom two then there will be questions about him being the best option to move the club forward.
They have one of the youngest squads in the EFL but it is certainly full of potential with several loanees from higher up the pyramid. In what has been a difficult time for the club, Doolan is proving they are more than capable of maintaining their place in the Football League and building towards regaining their place in League One over the coming campaigns.