Accrington Stanley boss warns West Brom – It will be hostile

Last season, Stanley knocked out Premier League side Burnley in the second round thanks to a 120th-minute Matty Pearson goal, and this season, they’ve already beaten Championship side Preston North End 3-2 in the first round.

What’s more, John Coleman’s team have won three out of three games at the Wham Stadium so far this campaign and the manager is determined to give Albion a hostile reception at their home fortress tonight.

“Last season this competition gave us nights that we look back on with pride as a club,” said Coleman. “It’s not often you get to face a Premier League side and we will make sure we enjoy the occasion tomorrow and see how we measure up.

“We hope that our home record means that Tony Pulis and West Brom will be feeling a bit uncomfortable about coming here.

“We’ve got to make it hostile, show our appetite for the game early on, set the tone with our pressing and get the fans behind us from the first whistle.

“We have to use every element of this ground to our advantage.

“It’s three wins from three home games this season and we’d like to keep that record up for as long as we can.

“The cramped changing rooms and the fans being so close to pitch side will be something that West Brom maybe aren’t as used to as us, so we will look to use that.”

New signing Kayden Jackson has grabbed the headlines with four goals from his opening three league game since joining from Barnsley.

But it was his strike partner Billy Kee – who was recently charged with grievous bodily harm along with Cardiff City’s Lee Tomlin following an incident outside a nightclub – who grabbed a late winner at the weekend.

The target man remains available for selection ahead of his impending court appearance, which is good news for Coleman.

The manager wants to keep together the majority of the team that beat Mansfield Town 2-1 on Saturday, even tough they travel to Notts County for a league match on Friday night.

“We’ll have the bulk of the side that played Saturday so it’s all about getting a good session under our belt in training and getting our recovery right,” he said. “West Brom have the facility to make wholesale changes if they choose to.

“We can’t second guess what kind of team they’ll put out.

“If they put out a strong side our fans get to see some big name players and our lads can test themselves against the best, if they put out a younger side we’ve got a better chance of winning the game.”

Whatever side Pulis names, the Accrington players are unlikely to simply roll over.

Danger man - Kayden Jackson

The 23-year-old striker has made a dream start to life in League Two since joining from Championship side Barnsley in the summer, scoring four goals in the opening three league games. The former Tamworth and Wrexham forward has proved dangerous working off strike partner and target man Billy Kee.