As the gap gets that ever so slightly smaller the optimists of Cobbler land still believe we can make a surge into the playoffs. The pessimists believe it’s over for another season despite a home win over Luton but if we can claw anything back on the pack this weekend it would be a magnificent effort against in form Southend.
No report I’ve heard from the Luton game has been too positive as the blustery conditions in the second half meant that our seemingly comfortable 2-0 lead at half time came under threat. Bunny was again the hero with a long line of saves and the ever present goalkeeper is looking a dead cert for the player of the year award.
Luton look doomed now and that’s a shame with the other derby days we should be looking forward to next season if we do stay in League One. Boro and MK Dons look set for promotion and Leicester or even Coventry could provide another local game for us should one of those be relegated. From my home in Southampton though, I’m secretly hoping the Saints dip in form again so I get a very local game next season!
But staying positive and Southend gives us a massive test and once again it’s a game that could end our season once and for all. They’re in storming form at the moment having won eight of their last eleven games, drawing the other three. Considering that two of those draws came against Forest and Swansea it makes the record that bit more impressive!
We do owe them one at Roots Hall though after our previous visit back in 2005 when the controversial Fredy Eastwood penalty saw us off in the League Two playoff semi-finals. Any result like that agonising day a couple of years ago and once again we’ll be coming away from Southend with a season finished.
Yet Cobblers Law states that any team in that sort of form could come a cropper against us and it’s strange to say but I would prefer them to be in this rich vein of form coming into our meeting rather than having lost five in a row!
There should be a healthy turn-out by the seaside as we traditionally travel well towards the end of the season when a beach is in the offering and it should be a good one if we can contain them for long enough. Poul Hubertz has suddenly found his shooting boots again and could be the key while the energy of Ryan Gilligan could prove a major plus as he returns from suspension.
So all is set for a grand day up in the Essex sun and hopefully this time we won’t be hanging our heads after exiting Roots Hall.
Up The Cobblers!
Danny
No comments:
Post a Comment