REVITALISED John Miles is hoping Stanley fans will continue to see the best of him as the resurgent Reds climb the League Two table.

Accrington face league leaders Wycombe Wanderers tomorrow and a local derby at Morecambe on Tuesday after two wins have boosted the 15th placed side following a seven game winless run.

And pacey wideman Miles has been at the centre of the victories, especially with a stunning display against promotion chasing Shrewsbury on Tuesday which earned him Man of the Match.

And, after being the subject of criticism last season before he moved onto MK Dons on loan in January until the end of last season, he seems to have won over the Stanley fans who chanted his name in the 2-1 win over the Shrews.

"I am really enjoying it at the moment and am made up," admitted the 27-year-old, who signed from Macclesfield in summer 2007.

"It is nice to finally produce what the gaffer has signed me for. I have always known I can do it and so has the gaffer and Jimmy (Bell) but for some reason I haven’t shown it here.

"When I first came to Accrington, to be honest, I probably wasn’t really in the fight frame of mind. I had signed for Accrington but Paul Ince had just left Macclesfield and gone to MK Dons and all my mates had gone there and I was wondering what might have been.

"The gaffer (John Coleman) dropped me and was right too as I wasn’t turning in the performances.

"Then I went to MK Dons in January and they were the best team in the league.

"I was getting in their side, passing the ball around, getting fit and playing with confidence.

"I fitted in and did not feel out of place, even though they were top of the league. I was on a high and I came back here, after Paul Ince moved on, and the confidence has carried over.

"I am also playing regularly now too which has helped me show what I can do and am justifying keeping my place."

He continued: "I also think the new signings at the club have helped me. Jimmy Ryan likes to get the ball down and play and pass it as does John Mullin and Rostyn Griffiths. That suits me and we have done more of that in the last few games.

"There are some really good footballers at the club. John Mullin and Colin Murdock also have a great deal of league experience and have a really good attitude as do Rostyn and Terry Gornell who have come from higher league clubs.

"It has all led to a healthy squad and a good team spirit.

"To get the Man of the Match on Tuesday was a huge boost - even though I didn’t even get a bottle of wine as there wasn’t a sponsor!

"It was the first time I have got it since I have been at Accrington and it was nice."

Miles hasn’t quite hit the heights with his goalscoring - despite celebrating a 25-yard stunner against Rochdale - but he has had a hand in quite a few of the Reds goals this season.

"I know I only have one goal but I do have six assists - quite a few of them have been from corners.

"It was a relief to score as it was my first goal in 15 months - I just hope I don’t have to wait another 15 months for my second!"

And the tricky wideman is confident the mid-table Reds can add to their points tally against unbeaten Wycombe and struggling Morecambe.

"I was looking at the table the other day and we had won four and lost seven," said Miles.

Miles added: "I think the other way round would have been a fairer reflection. We deserved to lose to Rochdale, Darlington and Gillingham but we should have got more out of the other games - especially Bradford and Exeter. But hopefully we can continue moving up the table now.

"Wycombe are unbeaten but, the way we are playing, why can’t we be the first to beat them?

"And Morecambe is a derby which we always enjoy. The whole mood at the club has lifted in the last seven days. It is a nice feeling when you win and we want to keep it going."

Manager John Coleman admitted: "We have always known that John Miles has the ability and he hasn’t always shown it. No one has been more disappointed than John himself that he has not been able to get a run of consistent form. And there is more to come from him."

Captain Peter Cavanagh is out with an Achilles tear for the two games but, although Phil Edwards had seven stitches in the back of his leg during the Shrewsbury win, he could be back tomorrow.

Bobby Grant and Peter Murphy (both knees) are still sidelined while Leam Richardson is on his way back from a stomach injury and could be in contention. Keeper Ian Dunbavin is also recovering from a groin injury.

But, with the addition of loan signings Kieran Charnock and Kallum Higginbotham, there are more numbers at the FES.

"We have a healthier squad now and it certainly looks rosier that it did a few weeks ago," said the Reds boss.

"Kallum will play a big part for us this month. He is a terrific footballer."

Despite the two recent wins, Coleman, though, is still rueing the ones that got away.

"We have let six or seven points get away from us this season. We should have had a couple more draws and a couple more wins.

"That would have taken us within touching distance of the plays-offs so it is frustrating.

"We are capable of competing with anyone in this league as we have shown. We have a small squad but what we lack in funds we make up for in spirit."


* EX-Red Sean Webb has signed for Conference North side Fleetwood.


* STANLEY’s reserves play at Blackpool next Wednesday (ko 7pm). Venue to be confirmed.


* THE first round of the FA Cup will be drawn live on ITV 1 on Sunday at 1pm. Stanley are hoping to have a run in the competition after getting knocked out by League One outfit Huddersfield last year.