A second successive 1-1 draw at Sixfields leaves the Cobblers in a treacherous position going into this weekends’ trip to Gillingham. We sit just five points above the drop zone with most around us having two games in hand and with time running out in the transfer window it’ll be a nervous couple of weeks at the club.
By all accounts, Hartlepool was a dire game and we once again missed the presence of Hoobs up front. The big man’s absence is leaving a big hole up front and playing the same game as usual isn’t the best way forward without that outlet. Andy Kirk and Dean Bowditch are similar types of player to one another and hoofing the ball long to them just won’t work.
Congratulations to Liam Dolman on his first senior goal though and at least it helped us to a share of the spoils. Other positives were Giles Coke getting through the ninety minutes and the debuts of new loanees Mark Little and Jonathon Hayes. Hayes could have scored with one of his first touches while Little put in a positive shift at right back.
The rumour mill once again links Andy Kirk with a move away from Sixfields with Millwall the latest to put in an offer according to some. Last season we sold top scorer Scott McGleish but reinforcements from the loan market saw us through to safety. Selling Kirk would be a bit of a mistake even if he hasn’t scored for a good few weeks. He can put the ball in the back of the net and when partnered with Hoobs can link up well.
Something we may have to look into is freshening up the attack and Stuart Gray has already hinted at signing another forward. Hoobs will more than likely be suspended again before too long and we maybe need to look at brining in someone of his ilk to shake things up a bit when he’s away.
Gillingham isn’t the nicest places to go on a cold January afternoon with its open seating area similar to the Withdean Stadium at Brighton a dismal place to sit and watch football. I guess at least at the Priestfreld you can actually see the game! It’ll be another tricky one but a game that we really need to get something from. Defeat would send us ever closer to the bottom four and set up a second relegation fight in succession.
The season is very much looking like the 2002/03 season when Kevan Broadhurst took us to the top half of the table before we fell greatly in mid-season. Broadhurst was sacked and you only have to mention the name of Terry Fenwick to send shivers down the spine of Cobblers fans as we remember the decline and relegation that followed. No such mistake as sacking Gray should be made this time around and his job should certainly be safe. More signings to bolster the squad would be very nice though!
Just a final note on some people writing into newspapers and flooding message boards about the atmosphere at Sixfields being “ruined” by the family like feel to it. When I was young, I went to my first game with both my Pap and my Dad in a picture of a family tradition and if it wasn’t for them taking me along I could well have ended up “supporting” a Premiership side like so many others in Northampton at the time rather than choosing a side battling for their existence. If there’s a family atmosphere at Sixfields then it should be heralded and not looked down upon as the kids are the future fans of the club while their kids will follow suit. Sixfields is not a great place for atmosphere in a regular game like Hartlepool, not helped by the small number of away fans but we know when we want it to be it can be great so let’s stop blaming the families and get behind the team!
Up The Cobblers!
Danny
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