"DO you think I need gloves?" It's a little after 11am on Wednesday, February 8 and the temperature is still in minus figures as John Coleman steps out for training. Or at least it certainly feels like it.

The atmosphere was already a little frosty anyway. Understandably so, though, after Accrington Stanley had suffered their first defeat in 18 league and cup games with a lacklustre display in the FA Trophy third round replay two nights before.

So to avoid the chance of a similar performance causing a hiccup in their all-important Conference form, a tough training session was on the cards to right the wrongs that Coleman and his managerial staff had witnessed at Worksop Town.

But even on days like today, he maintains he still has the best job in the world.

And with each passing minute, his mood changes from one of a stony-faced Sergeant Major to one which prompts a broad smile to spread across his face, like a child who gets a new football for Christmas.

Coleman arrives at Stanley's impressive new training ground at Rolls Royce in Barnoldswick with his assistant Jimmy Bell and player-coach Paul Cook at 10am.

It's on their journeys to and from training that a lot of their discussions about the team, and forthcoming opponents, takes place.

And after moving from Wilsons Playing Fields in Clayton, they have an extra hour or so's travelling time to get things off their chest.

The players filter through the car park in packs before the cut-off point of 10:15am. Anyone who arrives late is fined. But there isn't a chance of that today. They know they have a lot of making up to do for the other night and all make it into the changing rooms in plenty of time. Car-sharing adds to the togetherness of a squad that is already tight-knit.

Coleman pounds the corridors of the pavilion - the centre piece of the training facilities, which include a number of pitches and tennis courts, while across the road there is a gym and sauna, and snooker tables and dining facilities for wining down after training.

The Stanley manager is in and out of his office, the changing rooms, the treatment room and the kitchen, making sure everything is set for the day ahead.

When he joins in the training session, things are already underway. Bell is overseeing the beginning of the goalkeepers' session, while Cook is pumping up footballs and laying out the cones as David Brown leads his team-mates' warm-up.

Cook then rounds the players up, gets them into groups of three for passing practice and Coleman emerges at 11:02am after a meeting with Paul Mullin to assess how his players are responding to a rare defeat.

The gloves are on.

His role initially seems to be one more of an observer, but he soon makes his voice heard by urging some enthusiasm into his players, encouraging them to run with the ball as if they were charging through on goal. The idea of putting them in match situation, he insists, is for their benefit to bring the best out of them.

He cannot, and will not, allow them to believe they have won anything yet.

Bell leaves the stoppers in the capable hands of goalkeeping coach Andy Dibble and joins in with the rest of the squad.

A routine for shorter, sharper passing is introduced and Coleman prowls the perimeter of the groups, stopping them to advise every now and again before again drilling into them how training as if they were in a game would get their mindset right and aid their improvement.

Mis-use of throw-ins was one of the issues to come out of the Worksop game, and a drill is set-up to iron out further mistakes in that department, with Coleman threatening 20 press-ups for anyone who is seen to make a foul throw.

The bibs are handed out at 11:32am and Coleman raises a smile for possibly the first time that morning as he, Bell and Cook join in a 'match' between three groups of five that is geared towards keeping possession. The team which gives the ball away must go in the middle of the other two teams until they win it back.

Cook emphasises that the pitches are only going to get bobblier at this time of year, but stresses that they must keep "doing the right things" and maintain their passing game.

Coleman still loves playing, and while his legs may have tired since his peak as a prolific striker, his eye for an intelligent pass has not deserted him.

His involvement in these types of practice matches isn't just to make the numbers up, or for his own gratification. The players can learn a lot from watching their 'gaffer' in action and follow the example he sets on the pitch.

"I prided myself on not giving the ball away and you've got to have pride in your own performance," he said afterwards.

"I want to win at everything I do.

"I've got the best job in the world, and I hope the lads get as excited about winning as I do."

The mood is lifting all the time, more so when they all move on to the top pitch, where the goalkeepers, are for shooting practice.

Coleman and Bell take on defensive duties, and plenty of heckling provides further incentives for the players to get the better of them.

By 1:30pm everyone is showered, changed and having lunch together - homemade soup, chicken curry and rice - before their working day ends.

Ian Craney gets a late tip about a horse racing in the 1:40 at Huntingdon and Coleman phones his bookies to have a wager for himself and the midfielder on Mayoun at 7/2 then gets the commentary blaring out from his mobile phone.

It looks to be a safe bet as it leads before being caught at the end.

But rest assured, Coleman will do everything in his power, on and off the pitch, to make sure Accrington Stanley don't mirror Mayoun and get pipped at the post.