ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman attended a question and answer session with the Reds' Supporters Club on Monday night.

Here are some of the topics covered and Coleman's reply to the fans queries.

THE SALES OF GARY ROBERTS AND IAN CRANEY

"Both were taken out of our hands.

"I really miss Ian, it was like a bereavement as he was like a son. It is someone I worked with everyday and he was infectious with his enthusiasm. He was bright and brought a spark to training.

"But unfortunately to stay at Accrington in the summer, he and his agent wanted a clause in his contract saying he could talk to a club if they offered X price. If we hadn't put it in, he wouldn't have signed then. When someone came in with the price, we had to let him go.

"With Gary, he made it clear he wanted to leave in the summer as an agent turned his head. Once Ipswich came in for him you have got a player who wants to leave and did not want to play for Accrington. Gary is a smashing lad but he just had his head turned. I think if we had him for three more months, he would have got a higher club than Ipswich and certainly got better wages.

"There was no point holding onto him until January, having him kicking his heels, and he wouldn't be focused on what were were doing."

HOW IT AFFECTED THE TEAM

"Those two leaving also coincided with both Rommy Boco and Peter Cavanagh getting injured. I got David Mannix to replace Ian and Leighton McGivern to replace Gary up front but both got injured. If any team in the country loses their two best players, then they will struggle.

"I understand how fans feel. I am a fan and, if Liverpool sold Steven Gerrard, I would be up in arms. But no one was more disappointed than me and Eric. We did not want the money, we did not need it and it was not a motivating factor but we had to make the best out of a bad job."

KEEPERS

"Unfortunately it looks like Ian Dunbavin could be out for another six weeks and we are trying to bring in another keeper. We tried to bring in one permanently in January but it fell through. The problem is, if we get keepers, clubs want them to play. I could go out and get a keeper from Watford or Newcastle tomorrow but they don't want them coming to be second choice. We have got Przemyslaw (Kazimierczak) from Bolton and I would like to extend his loan until the end of the season.

"Przemyslaw turned in a solid display at Barnet and I have faith in Martin Fearon but I would like a keeper with a bit more experience.

"We also hope to bring a goalkeeping coach in."

DAVID BROWN

"David is a very good footballer - whether he will show it again for Accrington I don't know. We got him back from his loan spell at Burton and I got the response I wanted out of him - he could have got four goals against Wrexham and won two penalties. He showed initial enthusiasm but then his form dipped and he seemed to lack sharpness.

"And he has had a back problem since December.

"It is no secret that the team is built around Paul Mullin and David likes his ball to feet and likes to play intricate passes and that's not how we play around Paul. And there are other options with Andy Mangan, Stuart Fleetwood and Rommy Boco.

"But, if anyone works hard, they will get their chance."

PAUL MULLIN

"Paul is a focal point to how we play. We have been fortunate with him in that he hasn't got an injury over the years. We have rode our luck with him but it could happen, (that he gets injured) and we are looking to bring players in.

"But Paul has got fitter every year since he has been here. He tracks back and works hard and is a keen, honest lad."

DIFFICULTY GETTING PLAYERS IN

"Everybody at this level is struggling to get players in and I think clubs like Peterborough have set the standard. They have gone after Conference players and paid £260,000 for George Boyd and £150,000 for Aaron McLean. It means now to buy a decent Conference player the rate is around £200,000.

"It means we need to get players who are just bursting into a Conference side or from League One who are not getting in or younger players from the Premier League. And if players are worth £200,000 they don't want to come to League Two but try for a League One side or a Championship side.

"But we are watching at all levels and hope we can get the right players in."

PLAYERS COLEMAN WAS CHASING

"We tried to get midfielder Mark Hughes from Everton and made four bids for him and then the next thing we heard he was at Northampton.

"Striker Johann Smith went to Carlisle from Bolton and, the day before, they refused to let me have him. Perhaps they wanted him playing at a higher level but he was sub on Saturday - that's frustrating.

"Then there was the Luke Rodgers saga and I must have asked for him four or five times but it wasn't to be.

"And David Mannix, we thought we had agreed a deal, but he has ended up going to Norway. It is difficult so perhaps we need to get players who are on the way up and trying to prove themselves.

"We want hungry players and it is not always about money. Last year we won the Conference and were probably paying the 15th highest wage bill. It isn't always about money but it helps."

SEAN DOHERTY

"We had high hopes for him in the summer - and still have. He did look impressive but perhaps he lacks some confidence after picking up another injury against Chester on the opening day of the season. He is a talented player and has got the ability and the tools and we are trying to get it out of him."

ATTENDANCES

"They have been poor and I thought the Football League for Accrington Stanley would be the Holy Grail.

"I love my football. I have had three kids but the happiest day of my life was against Farsley Celtic. It gave me the most pleasure ever and I don't think I can ever repeat that experience. There were around 2,400 fans there that day in the UniBond First Division so I thought the Football League would be the Holy Grail for this town.

"I know football fans enjoy watching successful sides so it could be our fault. And there is also the roof, the facilities and other things but we need more people and we want Accrington to be their heart and soul."