MANAGER OF THE MONTH John Coleman is hoping the curse doesn't strike for Saturday's trip to Canvey Island.

Coleman won the award jointly with Crawley boss John Hollins for December but, with the table topping Reds on an eight game unbeaten league run, he will be desperate to continue it at in-form Canvey and not succumb to the curse, with a loss often following the award.

The Gulls are a dangerous side though as they beat former league leaders Grays twice over the festive period while the Reds drew twice with Halifax.

"Canvey will be bouyant after beating Grays home and away but, like a lot of other teams, they are on the hunt for consistency," said Coleman. "That is the key to this division.

"It is nice to win an award but I don't really get too carried away with it. It should really be Club of the Month as the whole club has earned it.

"Anyway, I would prefer to win it in March or April as hopefully that will mean we have won the league."

Coleman has no injury worries for the long trip to Canvey but has some thinking to do over his team.

Captain Peter Cavanagh came off the bench to score a penalty against Halifax to seal the Reds a point on Monday and Coleman admitted: "Cav is a top player and I think he would get into any side in the Conference.

"The fact he is on the bench for us is testament to how well we are doing.

"I will choose the best lads on any given day. They are all pushing for a place which can only be good for us."

Coleman is keen to snap up a couple of midfielders now the January transfer window has opened and he is chasing one in League One whose contract will be up after this weekend.

"I will know more by the beginning of next week," said the boss. "A couple of clubs are chasing him and I have thrown my cap into the ring and hope to get him.

"To be honest, I would like to sign a couple of midfielders as I think they is where we are short at the moment and hopefully things will start to happen next week."

And he is also still thrashing out deals with his out-of-contract players Michael Welch, Leam Richardson, Anthony Barry, Danny Ventre and loan player Phil Edwards.

"I hope to have them all signed up soon. I am confident they will all sign," he added. "And I will be fending off enquiries for any of our players."

The Reds are currently top of the table by three points with second placed Exeter having played two games more and league record breakers Grays going through a poor run - but the manager is keeping his feet on the ground.

"It is only half way through the season," said Coleman. "There is still a lot of hard work to do although I am happy with the team.

"If we make a couple of additions, we have got a fighting chance along with six or seven other teams."

But he admitted that his Stanley side may never be in a better position to make a return to the Football League, 43 years after they were forced to resign.

"We'll never have a better chance that we have got at the moment. If we can get our heads down and get a few more wins then we can make it difficult for the other teams.

"Every game we play, though is going to be hard whether we are home or away and we have got to try and do what we are good at.

"We are primarily a counter attacking side, we have a lot of pace around the side and you can only see that benefitting us away from home."

Then, after the trip to Canvey tomorrow (Sat), it is another journey on Tuesday when Stanley take on struggling Tamworth for the first time this season.

The Reds have never won at the Lamb Ground but Coleman says this won't count for anything: "I don't really think of places as jinxed. As far as I am concerned, they are the only side we haven't played yet this season and it will be another test for us.

"I know I have got a good squad who are all keen to play and I think we are as good as anyone in the league on our day and hopefully we will have lots of days in the next few months!"

And he is gunning for the record of a goal in every game - the Reds have scored in every league clash so far.

"I want to go after this record," added Coleman. "I want to go the whole season of scoring in every game and it will be nice to do it.

"I think the fact we have scored in every game so far gives us the belief that, whatever happens in the game, we always believe we are capable of getting a goal at some point."

At the other end, goalkeeper Rob Elliot has signed from Charlton until the end of the season. Coleman wanted either Elliot or his Premiership team mate Darren Randolph at the club and they have managed to sort out a deal to keep Elliot.

  • THE Reds will travel to Southport on Tuesday 21 March for their Conference fixture after it postponed last Friday due to a waterlogged pitch.
  • STANLEY are offering a VIP Match-Day package for only £30 per person.

Guests are asked to arrive one hour before kick-off and are shown into the hospitality lounge, given a complimentary match-day programme and a complimentary drink.

They will have a reserved seat in the main stand in front of the director's box. And, a half-time, they have access to the buffet.

For details contact Karen Fazackerley on 01254 356950.