The playoff hopes are hanging by a thread as we go into the last five games of the season and a 1-1 draw at Cheltenham could well have all but ended the dreams of a top six finish this season. Still, plenty still to play for as mathematicians of Northampton go to work on figuring out if it can still be done!
Cheltenham were on a good run of form going into the game and were always going to be a stiff test for us as they tried to stabilise their position of safety in League One. When you fall behind away from home you have to dig deep to get something from the game and it seems a half time grilling inspired the players.
More than one member of the side has come out this week saying how Stuart Gray’s half-time talk was behind the come back and by all accounts it was a much improved display in the second half. We’re finding a real knack of coming from a goal down of late to snatch draws against Swindon, Leeds, Bristol Rovers and now Cheltenham and that’s only since the start of February.
Stuart Gray seems to be able to turn a game back in his favour and that’s one of the reasons why we’re in this position in the table. The odd draw here and there may not look like much but when you put them all together, particularly after we fall behind in games, it makes a healthy addition to the points tally.
It’s certainly a blessing to have a manager who’s not scared of changing the shape of the team when things are against him and it will go wrong on the odd occasion but it can just as easily go in our favour.
Giles Coke won the plaudits after another impressive display, rounded off by his well taken goal. The player himself says he needs a full pre-season to be fully fit so by the time 2008/09 begins we could well have a hell of a player on our hands.
According to Stuart Gray the players are now playing for their contracts as the playoffs slip away from view. The situation shouldn’t be as desperate as last summer when the likes of Jason Crowe’s contracts were up so it could be a big time to improve the playing staff.
But we can’t give up on the playoffs as they’re still in sight, albeit seven points away now, and the derby day against Luton should provide another good Sixfields atmosphere on Saturday.
Luton are fighting for their lives and by my calculations if we beat the Hatters and both Crewe and Millwall pick up wins, Luton will be relegated. So all to play for and the return of the forgotten man, Sam Parkin, should give the home fans something to shout at!
It’s not over yet and let’s just keep believing that we can win every game. Three points on Saturday could take us a little closer going into the clash at Southend so here’s hoping we’re still at least in the hunt come this time next week!
Up The Cobblers!
Danny
No comments:
Post a Comment