So that's the final game before the start of the transfer window...there probably won't be time for any new faces before Bournemouth but what can we expect next month? It's now do or die as to whether this season is a total write off or if we can at least salvage something like a top half finish to cheer about.
So what do we need?
Goalkeeping position seems fine so well covered there.
Defence - two clean sheets is a good thing to build on but with Swailes departing I expect another centre back to come in...we're in desperate need of a leader at the back.
Midfield - Pacy wingers would be ideal if we're to stick with 4-4-2...players who can cross, run at defenders and give the forwards something. Guttridge moving to the middle would also help in my opinion.
Forwards - If Bayo stays we could do with one more up top. If he goes, we're in trouble!
Not sure who's out there at the moment but the simple question is will we attract good, quality players to this club? At the moment I, sadly, can't see it. It's going to be a struggle getting anyone decent on a full time basis unfortunately with our league position so Sammo has a big job on his hands!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Ten man Barnet hold Cobblers
Barnet 0-0 Northampton Town
League Two
Monday, December 27th 2009
The Cobblers were held to a frustrating goalless draw at Barnet yesterday after the hosts were reduced to ten men early in the second half. Ian Sampson's men couldn't get into their stride in the opening 45 but Dean Sinclair's red card in the opening exchanges of the second meant that the initiative was passed to us.
Billy McKay, a second half substitute, came close to making it two winners in two games but the biggest disappointment was the 89th minute chalking off of Adebayo Akinfenwa's "goal" for a push on the home keeper.
The result does mean it's something to build on though as 2009 turns into 2010 and two successive clean sheets is a small point in the right direction at least. The transfer window looms large now and it's a massive one for Sammo as he looks to turn things around and get us away from the lower reaches of the football league.
League Two
Monday, December 27th 2009
The Cobblers were held to a frustrating goalless draw at Barnet yesterday after the hosts were reduced to ten men early in the second half. Ian Sampson's men couldn't get into their stride in the opening 45 but Dean Sinclair's red card in the opening exchanges of the second meant that the initiative was passed to us.
Billy McKay, a second half substitute, came close to making it two winners in two games but the biggest disappointment was the 89th minute chalking off of Adebayo Akinfenwa's "goal" for a push on the home keeper.
The result does mean it's something to build on though as 2009 turns into 2010 and two successive clean sheets is a small point in the right direction at least. The transfer window looms large now and it's a massive one for Sammo as he looks to turn things around and get us away from the lower reaches of the football league.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Billy The Hero as Cobblers win on Boxing Day
***The following is AloadofCobblers.net's 1,000th post...thanks for following and here's to another thousand ***
Northampton Town 1-0 Dagenham and Redbridge
League Two
Saturday, December 26th 2009
Substitute Billy McKay was the hero at Sixfields after another game of missed penalty drama and a winning goal that crept over the goal line to hand Ian Sampson's men a first league win since late October.
Sammo will be hoping that McKay is keen to impress as the January transfer window looms large with the Cobblers boss stressing that some players will be put up for transfer and loan in the coming month. The former Leicester man will be hoping that this strike lends his cause some hope as well as giving us a much, much needed three points.
The game was dead in the opening exchanges with both sides failing to put anything decent together in terms of goal scoring chances. It took until the thirty fifth minute for anything decent to come about when Adebayo Akinfenwa turned and shot wide of the post.
It was the Cobblers who at least managed to get something going before half time as Ryan Gilligan's deflected shot was saved well by Tony Roberts in the Daggers' goal but it was goalless at the break.
Dagenham came out of the blocks better in the second half and Peter Gain's effort was stopped by Chris Dunn, with a slight deflection on the shot.
Bayo went close again before the visitors hit the cross bar mid way through the second half as Adam Miller rattled the woodwork. Courtney Herbert headed over at the other end before Andy Holt was penalised for hand ball inside the area and Dagenham had a golden chance to take the lead from the spot. But Mark Arber skied the penalty and the game remained 0-0 going into the final stages.
The stage was then set for an unlikely final as substitute McKay's powerful shot crept in past Roberts in the 88th minute and we had pulled out a win from the hat to finally give us some winter cheer!
There was still time for Andy Holt to be sent off for his second bookable offence but there was no time for the Daggers to get back in the game. After a couple of months of discontent we'll take any sort of win at the moment and particularly against an in form Dagenham side.
Luck shone on Sixfields this afternoon and my word have we been waiting for that!
Northampton Town 1-0 Dagenham and Redbridge
League Two
Saturday, December 26th 2009
Substitute Billy McKay was the hero at Sixfields after another game of missed penalty drama and a winning goal that crept over the goal line to hand Ian Sampson's men a first league win since late October.
Sammo will be hoping that McKay is keen to impress as the January transfer window looms large with the Cobblers boss stressing that some players will be put up for transfer and loan in the coming month. The former Leicester man will be hoping that this strike lends his cause some hope as well as giving us a much, much needed three points.
The game was dead in the opening exchanges with both sides failing to put anything decent together in terms of goal scoring chances. It took until the thirty fifth minute for anything decent to come about when Adebayo Akinfenwa turned and shot wide of the post.
It was the Cobblers who at least managed to get something going before half time as Ryan Gilligan's deflected shot was saved well by Tony Roberts in the Daggers' goal but it was goalless at the break.
Dagenham came out of the blocks better in the second half and Peter Gain's effort was stopped by Chris Dunn, with a slight deflection on the shot.
Bayo went close again before the visitors hit the cross bar mid way through the second half as Adam Miller rattled the woodwork. Courtney Herbert headed over at the other end before Andy Holt was penalised for hand ball inside the area and Dagenham had a golden chance to take the lead from the spot. But Mark Arber skied the penalty and the game remained 0-0 going into the final stages.
The stage was then set for an unlikely final as substitute McKay's powerful shot crept in past Roberts in the 88th minute and we had pulled out a win from the hat to finally give us some winter cheer!
There was still time for Andy Holt to be sent off for his second bookable offence but there was no time for the Daggers to get back in the game. After a couple of months of discontent we'll take any sort of win at the moment and particularly against an in form Dagenham side.
Luck shone on Sixfields this afternoon and my word have we been waiting for that!
Cobblers v Daggers - MATCH ON
The Cobbler's game with Dagenham and Redbridge this afternoon (3pm) WILL take place after calmer weather in the area over Christmas. Volunteers were not needed in the end and the club's staff worked to clear any slight problems on the pitch and surrounding area of Sixfields.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Merry Christmas from ALoadofCobblers!
A huge Merry Christmas to you all!
It's been a tough year in 2009 and we've been to hell and back through Yeovil, Leeds, Accrington and Aldershot and we're still here plugging away to try and find some light at the end of the tunnel.
Well done for sticking around, thanks for continuing to follow aloadofcobblers and here's to the end of 2009 and a much, much improved 2010. Keep the faith, keep supporting the boys and let's make the next calendar year a better one.
Up The Cobblers!
Danny
It's been a tough year in 2009 and we've been to hell and back through Yeovil, Leeds, Accrington and Aldershot and we're still here plugging away to try and find some light at the end of the tunnel.
Well done for sticking around, thanks for continuing to follow aloadofcobblers and here's to the end of 2009 and a much, much improved 2010. Keep the faith, keep supporting the boys and let's make the next calendar year a better one.
Up The Cobblers!
Danny
Johnson stays till the end of the season
John Johnson had completed a deal to extend his loan deal until the end of the season after a successful initial spell with the club. The defender's current deal runs out after the boxing day game with Dagenham and Redbridge but he has signed a new contract beginning on January 1st.
That does mean that he will miss Monday's game at Barnet but will be available for the Bournemouth game on January 2nd.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Cobblers ask for snow volunteers
The Cobblers are asking for volunteers to help clear the pitch at Sixfields ahead of the Boxing Day clash with Dagenham and Redbridge. Despite the recent snow in the area, the club expect the game to go ahead but will need volunteers should the conditions continue through Christmas Day.
Anyone wishing to volunteer is asked to register their offer of help with the club with contact details to avril.spraggon@ntfc.tv and any supporter that lends a hand will be given a ticket voucher or a club shop voucher. Helpers are advised that, if required, they will be needed from 7:30am on Boxing Day.
Anyone wishing to volunteer is asked to register their offer of help with the club with contact details to avril.spraggon@ntfc.tv and any supporter that lends a hand will be given a ticket voucher or a club shop voucher. Helpers are advised that, if required, they will be needed from 7:30am on Boxing Day.
Keeper takes the Anya route to Sixfields
Goalkeeper Billy Lumley has joined the Cobblers on a non contract basis to provide cover and competition for Chris Dunn. Lumley joins from the Glenn Hoddle academy in Spain, the same academy that Iketchi Anya signed from last season.
Ian Sampson has revealed that the Cobblers were in for the stopper when he was originally available from Wolves but Lumley now finally signs on and is in the squad for Saturday's game with Dagenham and Redbridge at Sixfields.
Ian Sampson has revealed that the Cobblers were in for the stopper when he was originally available from Wolves but Lumley now finally signs on and is in the squad for Saturday's game with Dagenham and Redbridge at Sixfields.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Darlo game rearranged
The Cobblers' trip to Darlington, postponed on Saturday due to John Snow invading the pitch, has been rearranged for Tuesday, January 26th 2010 with a 7:45pm kick off, meaning that all of four travelling fans may be in attendance!
The game will fall towards the end of the January transfer window and both sides will be hopeful of adding to their squads before the game.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Darlo - Cobblers OFF
Today's game between the Cobblers and Darlington has fallen foul of the weather after a morning pitch inspection. Heavy snow around the country has led to plenty of postponements this weekend and despite the efforts of the locals and staff at the club, the pitch was deemed unplayable by the match referee.
No new date has been set for the game so we now look ahead to Boxing Day's visit of Dagenham and Redbridge.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Darlo offer free tickets to snow clearers as game gets pitch inspection
Darlington are offering free tickets for tomorrow's game with the Cobblers to any supporters who help out to clear the snow from the pitch in order to get the game on. Backroom staff and youth team players are lending a hand this evening in an attempt to clear the pitch but free tickets will be handed out to any further volunteers.
There will, in any case, be a pitch inspection at 9am tomorrow morning in order to make any visiting supporter and the team coach aware of any problems with getting the game on. But Darlington are very hopeful of the game taking place as the Cobblers look to extend their host's poor run of form in the league.
Joe Benjamin could be handed another start for the Cobblers whilst Abdul Osman and Craig Hinton are back in contention for Ian Sampson.
There will, in any case, be a pitch inspection at 9am tomorrow morning in order to make any visiting supporter and the team coach aware of any problems with getting the game on. But Darlington are very hopeful of the game taking place as the Cobblers look to extend their host's poor run of form in the league.
Joe Benjamin could be handed another start for the Cobblers whilst Abdul Osman and Craig Hinton are back in contention for Ian Sampson.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Reasons to be cheerful
Ok let's take a side step from the doom and gloom for a minute and look at a few reasons to be cheerful this Christmas time. Yes, i know, i probably am scraping the last barrel of Tony Ansell's empty burger loads but you have to try and make some light out of our current situation or you'll end up crying into the Christmas turkey.
So here's a few reasons to be cheerful ahead of the trip to Darlington this weekend...
- We're not Darlington
We'll start with Saturday's hosts...Darlo are already ELEVEN points adrift of safety with just eight points from 21 games and a goal difference of minus 35. If it wasn't for their shoddyness we would be in deeper trouble than we already are so let's be thankful there's someone worse off than us.
- Adebayo Akinfenwa
The big man has refound his golden touch and has netted nine times this term, making him the top scorer. A return to actual fitness for Bayo is another big plus with, and this could shock some, some tracking back to defend at times!
- The return of sir Herbert
Courtney is back playing again and at least gives us some pace up front, something distinctly lacking with the more clever Steve Guinan or the run around like a headless chicken Gary Mulligan. The former non league man showed a couple of decent glimpses of his early form on Saturday and hopefully we'll see more as Christmas approaches.
- We're not even half way yet
21 games played so we're still two games away from the half way mark of the season. A couple of wins in a row would push us up into the mid-table region and maybe brew up some confidence in the squad.
- The transfer window
A massive month ahead in January with Ian Sampson able to hopefully bring in some of his own faces to go with the couple of short term contracts and loans he's already sorted out. One or two key positions need filling and the defence most certainly needs suring up so January will shake things up a bit.
Well there's five...clutching at straws i may be but let's be positive, enjoy Christmas and get three points at Darlo on Saturday!
Up The Cobblers!
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Fifth home draw of the season as spot kicks are the theme...
Northampton Town 1-1 Port Vale
League Two
Saturday, December 12th 2009
It’s becoming a recurring theme of the score draw at Sixfields as the Cobblers once again failed to take a chance and inevitably came out with just one point against the only side in League Two with an equally poor home record in terms of stalemates. Adebayo Akinfenwa missed one and scored one penalty and the visitors survived almost the entire second half with ten men as another frustrating afternoon ensued at the Cobblers’ home.
Injuries hit Sammo as he tried to shape his team with Andy Holt’s absence being filled in by Paul Rodgers on the left hand side of midfield and Dean Beckwith returning to defence. One real surprise in the starting line up was that of Joe Benjamin who slotted in the midfield foursome after returning from his loan spell with Eastbourne Borough.
Marc Richards, the man who became a one season legend at Sixfields, was always going to be the main threat for the visitors and it was his free kick early on that was the best of the chances as the game got off to a slow chance. It took us around twenty minutes to get into the game with the live wire Courtney Herbert stepping up his recovery from injury as he almost sparked us into life with a good run and curling shot that forced Vale keeper Chris Martin into a good save.
The first half was a tame affair until the final couple of minutes when two penalties woke everyone at Sixfields up. First, Paul Rodgers was brought down and Adebayo Akinfenwa stepped up but saw his spot kick well saved by Martin. Vale, typically, went up the other end and were awarded a penalty of their own when Chris Dunn pulled down an onrushing Louis Dodds and Richards made no mistake to put his side in front. Dunn could be said to be lucky to stay on the pitch, particularly with what happened early in the second half.
Akinfenwa was pulled down by John McCombe and as the last man the Vale man was sent off whereas Dunn was only booked before the break for his offence. Ian Sampson acknowledged after the game that his keeper was fortunate in his offence but either way, Bayo put his spot kick away and the game was all square with the visitors down to ten.
Dunn did well shortly after the goal to claw away a shot from Doug Loft and got to the rebound just before Richards before Gary Mulligan replaced Peter Gilbert in an attacking move by Sammo. Gilligan and Mulligan were both denied by Chris Martin as we tried to find the winner but the Vale keeper again reacted at the speed of sound to keep us out.
Joe Benjamin had the last effort of the game but shot over and it was the fifth home draw in eleven games at Sixfields this season. Vale will be the happier of the sides this evening as they keep in touch with the top half but the Cobblers remain closer to the drop zone than we are to twelfth!
Just two places now separate us from the drop zone in League Two, something unthinkable in the summer, let alone at the start of the calendar year. We’ll be delighted to see the back of 2009...
League Two
Saturday, December 12th 2009
It’s becoming a recurring theme of the score draw at Sixfields as the Cobblers once again failed to take a chance and inevitably came out with just one point against the only side in League Two with an equally poor home record in terms of stalemates. Adebayo Akinfenwa missed one and scored one penalty and the visitors survived almost the entire second half with ten men as another frustrating afternoon ensued at the Cobblers’ home.
Injuries hit Sammo as he tried to shape his team with Andy Holt’s absence being filled in by Paul Rodgers on the left hand side of midfield and Dean Beckwith returning to defence. One real surprise in the starting line up was that of Joe Benjamin who slotted in the midfield foursome after returning from his loan spell with Eastbourne Borough.
Marc Richards, the man who became a one season legend at Sixfields, was always going to be the main threat for the visitors and it was his free kick early on that was the best of the chances as the game got off to a slow chance. It took us around twenty minutes to get into the game with the live wire Courtney Herbert stepping up his recovery from injury as he almost sparked us into life with a good run and curling shot that forced Vale keeper Chris Martin into a good save.
The first half was a tame affair until the final couple of minutes when two penalties woke everyone at Sixfields up. First, Paul Rodgers was brought down and Adebayo Akinfenwa stepped up but saw his spot kick well saved by Martin. Vale, typically, went up the other end and were awarded a penalty of their own when Chris Dunn pulled down an onrushing Louis Dodds and Richards made no mistake to put his side in front. Dunn could be said to be lucky to stay on the pitch, particularly with what happened early in the second half.
Akinfenwa was pulled down by John McCombe and as the last man the Vale man was sent off whereas Dunn was only booked before the break for his offence. Ian Sampson acknowledged after the game that his keeper was fortunate in his offence but either way, Bayo put his spot kick away and the game was all square with the visitors down to ten.
Dunn did well shortly after the goal to claw away a shot from Doug Loft and got to the rebound just before Richards before Gary Mulligan replaced Peter Gilbert in an attacking move by Sammo. Gilligan and Mulligan were both denied by Chris Martin as we tried to find the winner but the Vale keeper again reacted at the speed of sound to keep us out.
Joe Benjamin had the last effort of the game but shot over and it was the fifth home draw in eleven games at Sixfields this season. Vale will be the happier of the sides this evening as they keep in touch with the top half but the Cobblers remain closer to the drop zone than we are to twelfth!
Just two places now separate us from the drop zone in League Two, something unthinkable in the summer, let alone at the start of the calendar year. We’ll be delighted to see the back of 2009...
Friday, December 11, 2009
Cobblers struggling with injuries as Vale come to Town
The Cobblers' cause, in the chase for three vital points tomorrow afternoon at home to Port Vale, has been dented even more with several key injuries hitting the squad this week. Steve Guinan has undergone a double hernia operation and will be missing alongside Craig Hinton, Chris McCready, Luke Guttridge, Andy Holt, Abdul Osman and Liam Davis.
Port Vale have had a stop start season themselves this time out but welcome back Gareth Owen, fully kitted out with face mask to take on the Cobblers. A 2-0 home defeat to in form Morecambe last weekend left manager Mickey Adams fuming and he'll be expecting full effort this time out so we can expect a fired up Vale side.
Both sides need the points at Sixfields and another depleted attendance is expected with Christmas round the corner so the players need to dig deep and grind out a win somehow, someway to warm our cockles as the freeze hits.
Port Vale have had a stop start season themselves this time out but welcome back Gareth Owen, fully kitted out with face mask to take on the Cobblers. A 2-0 home defeat to in form Morecambe last weekend left manager Mickey Adams fuming and he'll be expecting full effort this time out so we can expect a fired up Vale side.
Both sides need the points at Sixfields and another depleted attendance is expected with Christmas round the corner so the players need to dig deep and grind out a win somehow, someway to warm our cockles as the freeze hits.
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Black hole appearing in Leauge Two
There's a worrying gap appearing in the League Two table as the hectic Christmas period approaches. With The Cobblers in eighteenth place, there's four points between ourselves and last week's winners at Sixfields, Hereford United. Standing a place higher on the same points are Port Vale, Saturday's visitors Port Vale.
Defeat this weekend would start to compound the misery hanging around Sixfields at the moment and leave us stranded in the lower reaches of the basement league. Yes, it looks like a middle of the season, low attendance, scrappy mid-table bore fest but the fact is that on a cold Saturday in December we could be about to face a season defining game.
For if the Cobblers fall any further behind even the middle of League Two it could be a long, hard slug back. I said at this point last season that I hoped we wouldn't be dragged into a League One relegation fight but that it didn't seem a plausable option. We have to pray that history doesn't repeat itself because another dog fight, this time even further down the football pyramid, could kill the soul of Northampton Town.
So let's PLEASE get these attendances back up, start singing for us rather than against us and get us those three points that will at least bridge the widening hole that stands above us.
Defeat this weekend would start to compound the misery hanging around Sixfields at the moment and leave us stranded in the lower reaches of the basement league. Yes, it looks like a middle of the season, low attendance, scrappy mid-table bore fest but the fact is that on a cold Saturday in December we could be about to face a season defining game.
For if the Cobblers fall any further behind even the middle of League Two it could be a long, hard slug back. I said at this point last season that I hoped we wouldn't be dragged into a League One relegation fight but that it didn't seem a plausable option. We have to pray that history doesn't repeat itself because another dog fight, this time even further down the football pyramid, could kill the soul of Northampton Town.
So let's PLEASE get these attendances back up, start singing for us rather than against us and get us those three points that will at least bridge the widening hole that stands above us.
Sunday, December 06, 2009
Another Desmond as Bayo rescues Town again
Cheltenham Town 2-2 Northampton Town
League Two
Saturday, December 5th 2009
The Cobblers and Cheltenham Town have both had matching poor first halves of the season after relegation last season and neither side could secure three points at Whaddon Road yesterday in a 2-2 draw that did little for either side’s confidence. Adebayo Akinfenwa rescued his side once again byt twice scoring to pull the game back from the jaws of defeat.
It was an even more experienced head that caused us problems at the other end rather than the clutch of ex-Cobblers on show for the home side but Ben Marshall at least had some impact by setting up the opening goal of the game when his corner was scrambled in eventually by Barry Hayles. Hayles would be a thorn in the side later on but not before the Cobblers immediately replied.
Bayo’s fitness was in question all week (again) but he started alongside Courtney Herbert, making his first start in over a month, and the big striker got on the end of a Danny Swailes flick on to equalise just ninety seconds after the hosts had taken the lead.
Hayles was back on the score sheet on the half hour mark, though, flicking in a corner and it was another far too simple goal to concede for Ian Sampson’s men. This time, it would take a bit longer to find our way back into the game.
Bayo and Billy McKay went close before the break but the leveller soon came after half time when the former made the most of confusion in the home ranks to slot home and bring us back into the game again.
It was all set up for a stirring climax but it never really came as both sides proved as bad as each other at conjouring a final flurry despite the best efforts of Herbert, who drove wide with fifteen minutes to go and substitute Steve Guinan who headed over the bar in the closing stages of the game.
So it’s another draw in this stop-start season so far and yet again we concede sloppy goals. We need to become stronger at the back because at the other end we’re looking alright. Suring up at the back must be job number one for Sammo in a massive January transfer window but until then we must persevere with what we have.
There’s a worrying gap appearing to the clutch of teams in mid-table, one of which, Port Vale, come to Sixfields next weekend. It’s becoming a recurring theme but it’s another massive home game because defeat could leave us confounded in the doom of the lower reaches of League Two before Santa has even began to get ready for his annual work.
League Two
Saturday, December 5th 2009
The Cobblers and Cheltenham Town have both had matching poor first halves of the season after relegation last season and neither side could secure three points at Whaddon Road yesterday in a 2-2 draw that did little for either side’s confidence. Adebayo Akinfenwa rescued his side once again byt twice scoring to pull the game back from the jaws of defeat.
It was an even more experienced head that caused us problems at the other end rather than the clutch of ex-Cobblers on show for the home side but Ben Marshall at least had some impact by setting up the opening goal of the game when his corner was scrambled in eventually by Barry Hayles. Hayles would be a thorn in the side later on but not before the Cobblers immediately replied.
Bayo’s fitness was in question all week (again) but he started alongside Courtney Herbert, making his first start in over a month, and the big striker got on the end of a Danny Swailes flick on to equalise just ninety seconds after the hosts had taken the lead.
Hayles was back on the score sheet on the half hour mark, though, flicking in a corner and it was another far too simple goal to concede for Ian Sampson’s men. This time, it would take a bit longer to find our way back into the game.
Bayo and Billy McKay went close before the break but the leveller soon came after half time when the former made the most of confusion in the home ranks to slot home and bring us back into the game again.
It was all set up for a stirring climax but it never really came as both sides proved as bad as each other at conjouring a final flurry despite the best efforts of Herbert, who drove wide with fifteen minutes to go and substitute Steve Guinan who headed over the bar in the closing stages of the game.
So it’s another draw in this stop-start season so far and yet again we concede sloppy goals. We need to become stronger at the back because at the other end we’re looking alright. Suring up at the back must be job number one for Sammo in a massive January transfer window but until then we must persevere with what we have.
There’s a worrying gap appearing to the clutch of teams in mid-table, one of which, Port Vale, come to Sixfields next weekend. It’s becoming a recurring theme but it’s another massive home game because defeat could leave us confounded in the doom of the lower reaches of League Two before Santa has even began to get ready for his annual work.
Saturday, December 05, 2009
Away day comes at the right time
It's with a bit of a relief for the players that they get away from the pressures of a home game at Sixfields with this afternoon's visit to Cheltenham. Even the paltry attendance on Tuesday night were able to voice their discontent and from what I hear it was deserved after a shocking display.
Today, though, we go to Whaddon Road looking to just get three points from any avenue possible. It used to be an unhappy stomping ground over there but we've picked up two wins and a draw from our last two visits with Jason Crowe netting the winner last season.
The Robins are in a similar position to us following relegation and both sides' frustrations could lead to a decent game this afternoon. We can only pray that we finally get a bit of luck in front of goal at the right end this time after a couple of weeks of controversy at the wrong end!
Thursday, December 03, 2009
And there goes Walker...
So injury has now put pay to Josh Walker's time at Sixfields after the midfielder suffered a dislocated shoulder during Tuesday night's defeat to Hereford United at Sixfields.
Walker has been sent back to parent club Middlesbrough and could be out for the rest of season.
Meanwhile, Ian Sampson has confirmed that Adebayo Akinfenwa and Steve Guinan are both struggling for fitness ahead of Saturday's trip to Cheltenham, Courtney Herbert played the final fifteen minutes on Tuesday and could feature again at Whaddon Road.
Walker has been sent back to parent club Middlesbrough and could be out for the rest of season.
Meanwhile, Ian Sampson has confirmed that Adebayo Akinfenwa and Steve Guinan are both struggling for fitness ahead of Saturday's trip to Cheltenham, Courtney Herbert played the final fifteen minutes on Tuesday and could feature again at Whaddon Road.
Cobblers well beaten despite early goal
Northampton Town 1-3 Hereford United
Tuesday, December 1st 2009
League Two
The chill is setting in, the dark nights are here and the Cobblers are in for, seemingly, a long hard winter of discontent. Another defeat last night, this time to a Hereford side that won with far too much ease, pushed us closer to the bottom than we are to the top seven and things are looking more worrying than they have for a long, long time.
The blame can’t 100% fall on the players and staff...the sacking of Stuart Gray was untimely and the act of faith shown by David Cardoza at the end of last season and beginning of this is threatening to blow the whole of 09/10 apart. The players that survived the August transfer window simply aren’t good enough, and at League Two level they really should be.
Even the return to the bench of Courtney Herbert here couldn’t spark a win despite Ryan Gilligan giving us a lead inside forty seconds, converting Adebayo Akinfenwa’s cross to hand us the perfect start and at least it wouldn’t be a game of catch up from the start. It would, though, have the opposite effect and we never peaked after the early show.
The disaster started when Josh Walker was stretchered off the pitch after just ten minutes and Hereford added insult to that injury by equalising through Darren Jones as we failed to clear a corner. Craig Hinton and Andy Holt had the best chances of the first half after that but we were level at half time with Danny Swailes, making his debut after joining on loan from MK Dons last week, booked on the half hour mark.
Steve Guinan thought he had put us back in front early in the second half but his disallowed goal was as good as it got for Sammo’s men. It was another set piece that caused us problems for the second goal as Jordan Mutch fired in a free kick that Chris Dunn could only parry into the path of Mathieu Manset who nodded home from close range.
Herbert made his long awaited return with fifteen minutes to go but even he couldn’t rescue this game as the visitors wrapped it up when Craig King connected with the ball at the far post to knock it in and it was game over.
It was a deserved victory for Hereford who climb up into mid-table, leaving the Cobblers still struggling at the wrong end of things with the likes of Saturday’s opposition, Cheltenham Town, who have similar problems to us.
It could come down to who wants it the most at Whaddon Road. The quality is not appearing to be here at the moment so this is when we need to find out who the real characters in the dressing room really are.
It’s getting desperate. Please Cobblers, fight for your shirts!
Tuesday, December 1st 2009
League Two
The chill is setting in, the dark nights are here and the Cobblers are in for, seemingly, a long hard winter of discontent. Another defeat last night, this time to a Hereford side that won with far too much ease, pushed us closer to the bottom than we are to the top seven and things are looking more worrying than they have for a long, long time.
The blame can’t 100% fall on the players and staff...the sacking of Stuart Gray was untimely and the act of faith shown by David Cardoza at the end of last season and beginning of this is threatening to blow the whole of 09/10 apart. The players that survived the August transfer window simply aren’t good enough, and at League Two level they really should be.
Even the return to the bench of Courtney Herbert here couldn’t spark a win despite Ryan Gilligan giving us a lead inside forty seconds, converting Adebayo Akinfenwa’s cross to hand us the perfect start and at least it wouldn’t be a game of catch up from the start. It would, though, have the opposite effect and we never peaked after the early show.
The disaster started when Josh Walker was stretchered off the pitch after just ten minutes and Hereford added insult to that injury by equalising through Darren Jones as we failed to clear a corner. Craig Hinton and Andy Holt had the best chances of the first half after that but we were level at half time with Danny Swailes, making his debut after joining on loan from MK Dons last week, booked on the half hour mark.
Steve Guinan thought he had put us back in front early in the second half but his disallowed goal was as good as it got for Sammo’s men. It was another set piece that caused us problems for the second goal as Jordan Mutch fired in a free kick that Chris Dunn could only parry into the path of Mathieu Manset who nodded home from close range.
Herbert made his long awaited return with fifteen minutes to go but even he couldn’t rescue this game as the visitors wrapped it up when Craig King connected with the ball at the far post to knock it in and it was game over.
It was a deserved victory for Hereford who climb up into mid-table, leaving the Cobblers still struggling at the wrong end of things with the likes of Saturday’s opposition, Cheltenham Town, who have similar problems to us.
It could come down to who wants it the most at Whaddon Road. The quality is not appearing to be here at the moment so this is when we need to find out who the real characters in the dressing room really are.
It’s getting desperate. Please Cobblers, fight for your shirts!
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