Ian Craney reckons the current crop of Stanley players have the belief to take them towards League One.
The 28-year-old is in his third permanent spell at the Crown Ground and says he has noticed a difference in this season’s new-look squad.
"I know I played in the Conference winning team but I have noticed a different atmosphere at the club this time around," said the midfielder.
"The club, playing staff-wise, have definitely moved on to a different level.
"We had good teams the last two times I have been here but, instead of just an 11, there is a 15 or 16 here at the moment with a lot of quality.
"You only have to look at Sean McConville being on the bench and he has eight goals this season.
"I don’t think there was ever a person on the bench who had scored eight goals in my time here before.
"The players John Coleman has signed in the summer are different class.
"A number of them are out of academies and play the right way, a passing game, and it rubs off on everyone else.
"We perhaps just need to be more ruthless in front of goal but we are definitely going in the right direction and we believe we can get into the play-offs."
Craney, pictured right, is also full of praise for Stanley’s 10-goal top scorer Terry Gornell, who is catching the eye this season.
"I have played with strikers at a higher level and Terry is up there with them," continued Craney.
"He is outstanding, he has enthusiasm on and off the pitch, he scores goals and he has everything. I have been really impressed with him.
"But I have been impressed with everyone. I have spoken to scouts at my old club Huddersfield and they are all saying how well Accrington play and that they like to watch them, as they get the ball down and play and what a good team they are.
"You probably wouldn’t have heard that a few years ago and it shows people are taking notice of us."
Craney admits the squad is young and hungry for success and ready to make a charge into the play-offs with the 14th-placed Reds – on 39 points – looking to close an eight-point gap, with games in hand.
"I was working it out the other day and I am the third or fourth oldest at 28 which just shows how young the squad is.
"Charlie Barnett is only young and is a great player as is Sean McConville, Jimmy Ryan, Ray Putterill, Rory Boulding and more – all the squad are top players and Coley has got a great little squad together and I am just happy to be part of it.
"There is a good atmosphere around the club, there is a lot of belief and a great spirit.
"And there isn’t a team that holds any fear for us. We have played well at home and always fancy our chances there and then, away, if you can go to places like Wycombe and win it will obviously give the team a lot of confidence and belief for wherever we go.
"The play-offs are a realistic aim for us."
Craney scored his first goal on his third return to the Crown Ground with a wonder 25-yard strike against Crewe in the 3-2 win on Tuesday, following on from a 2-1 victory at second-placed Wycombe on Saturday.
"I enjoyed the goal –it was like the one I scored at Morecambe all those years ago! It was one of them, as soon as I hit it, I knew it was going in the back of the net.
"But, the formation we play with the three midfielders behind Terry, suits me and whoever plays there will be expected to get goals. I just hope it’s the start of many."
The Reds are looking to make it three wins on the trot for the first time this season when Torquay visit.
Last week boss John Coleman had said his side needed 10 wins from their remaining 19 fixtures for a top-seven spot and, after two victories, they have cut it to eight wins.
And he feels they can do it, especially with four home games in their next six matches.
"Torquay is massive for us and it will be difficult," said Coleman.
"But our home form has been quite solid this season. We have got back-to-back wins now and we need to build on it.
"We have got to play the way we can and tighten up at the back and see where it takes us.
"Because so many games have been postponed this season, we have decided not to take too much notice of the league table because it is false.
"I think, when everyone plays catch-up, then towards the end of March we will have a better idea of which teams are going to be threatening either at the top or the bottom.
"We’re certainly aiming for the play-offs. I think it will be the closest league for years as, apart from Chesterfield, no one has been that outstanding – and we should have taken something from our two games against them.
"What they have is consistency – and that’s what we need."
Captain Andy Procter echoed this: "It’s been a strange league, everyone is dropping points. Wycombe have gone second and they have only won one in five games so it’s there for us if we can be consistent and put a decent run together.
"We have set a points total which is realistic – 67 or 68 points – and it’s something we have got to aim for.
"If we can keep putting in performances like in the last two games then I can’t see why not."
Kevin Long (hamstring) and Leam Richardson (groin) are doubts.
