JOHN Coleman said it was a collective effort rather than any standout individuals that helped Accrington Stanley enjoy their highest finish to a season in more than 60 years.
Dion Charles and Colby Bishop – with 19 and 11 league goals respectively – may have been the headline grabbers but the Reds boss insists everyone played their part to secure 11th place in League One.
Coleman said he can’t single out any individual player, in a campaign where Joe Pritchard also scored seven goals and had six assists despite his season being disrupted by injury.
“All the players have been terrific,” Coleman told the club website. “There have been some standout performances.
“Captain Seamus Conneely seems to be getting younger, he is outstanding, he has a big influence on the side and we miss him when he is out.
“You miss Colby when he is not playing, Dion gets the headlines for his goals and he has done well.
“You could go through them. The back four have been really good, I know we have let in a lot of goals but we have some finds there certainly with Cam (Cameron Burgess) and Notts (Michael Nottingham).
“The likes of Ben Barclay and Harvey (Rodgers) probably didn’t expect to play as much as they have but they have done really well. You could go through them all.
“Joey Pritchard showed what we have been missing when he came on the other day. Hopefully we can keep most of the squad together and have a good go next year.”
Coleman also singled out young keeper Toby Savin, who came through the Academy and only recently turned 20 - finishing his breakthrough season with a man of the match performance at Portsmouth last weekend.
“There are not many 20-year-old’s who have played the best bulk of a season in League One. Games have shown the capabilities Toby has,” said Coleman.
“He is going to go on and have a terrific career, I have no doubt about that.”
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