Harrad's sale gets Sammo scrambling!

There's a new year transfer window on the horizon and Sammo's main target has been revealed to be Burton Albion's Shaun Harrad as he looks to strengthen his forward line. Harrad has been out of the Burton side of late despite hitting ten goals this term with Villa loanee James Collins ahead of him in the pecking order.
Harrad has scored 77 league goals for the Brewers since joiining them in 2005 but his contract is up at the end of the season and Albion look like they're about to cash in on the striker rather than risk a free transfer in the summer.

What the problem looks like being now though is that the player's agent is making noises about the Cobblers' bid. Town were keen to keep this one under wraps but as usual the agent has been talking up the player in a bid to get a better deal higher up the footballing food chain, or even to high spending Crawley Town in the Conference.

Sammo though, who was hoping to get a look at Harrad in the Boxing Day game at Sixfields before it was called off, hopes that the club's ambition and league status can persuade the front man to come to Sixfields.

Certainly if this one comes off then it could be one that takes us on to the next level. A fit, proven striker at this level is something that we've been crying out for for a long time. Harrad doesn't have a great deal of an injury history and can find the net on a regular basis in this league. There are, apparantly, plans b and c in place but Harrad is the one that Sammo really wants this January.

From the Burton side, boss Paul Peschisolido admits that talks are at a stand still with Harrad and it looks likely that he'll be leaving the club one way or another within the next month. Fingers crossed that Sammo's vision can bring the proven goal scorer to Sixfields and set up another exciting second half of the season.

2010...

So with no more games to play this year, it's time to look back on a year that will forever be etched in our memory forever more because of one night in September.

That day aside it's been a typical kind of year for the Cobblers with a late surge towards the playoffs at the end of last season offering bags of hope for the new campaign come August. The final day of the season back in May was memorable only for Bayo's final moment as a Town player as his final touch earned a draw against Bury. The big man packed his bags for Gillingham in the summer and the reshuffle never really got going until recently with Leon McKenzie starting to show the sort of form that fills the holes of Bayo's leaving.

Elsewhere we've seen the return of John Johnson to the club, Chris Dunn's rise and rise to become the dead cert for the Number One jersey and Sammo continueing to learn his trade as boss. Five defeats in October tested Mr Cardoza's patience a little and the horrific 4-3 home reverse to Hereford sent us all to rock bottom.

But slowlty and surely we've got back on track and that's made the recent bad weather even more irritating with a good run of form leading up to the wintery months that included an excellent victory over Stevenage in the last game played.

All in all it's been steady but we can forgive everything else in 2010 for that one night, September 23rd when Northampton Town went to Anfield, put it all on the line and shook the rafters of one of the biggest clubs in the world. The penalty shoot out win over Liverpool will go down as one of the finest nights in the club's history and to be there to witness is was one of the highlights of my life, two more of which were on the way.

Whatever happens in football, I've learnt this year that nothing in any way compares to life for emotions like I've had in the last month. When my daughter, Faith, was born exactly a month ago today the world as I knew it changed. All I think about now is my life with her and her incredible mother, Martha.

On Boxing Day, a sentimental day for my family, I asked Martha the biggest question of all and, quite luckily I thought, she said...yes! So we shall be married and be the family that little Faith deserves. Forgive me for a moment of pride but I feel truly blessed as 2010 comes to an end and a year that started undcertainly has become a year that I will treasure forever more.

So here's to your 2010. I hope whoever you are you too feel the same way. This football lark really isn't life or death...but when something truly remarkable happens like that day in September we should embrace it and call it what it was - a minor miracle!

Stay safe, stay positive and let's hit 2011 running...oh and please let this snow go away so we can get some games on!

Happy New Year!

Three in a row postponed

Tomorrow's game at Hereford continues the run of games called off as a frozen pitch halted any hope of the Cobblers playing again in 2010. The last two games have fallen victim of the weather and we could have taken advantage of a tired Bulls side that did play on Sunday but the weather has hit once more.

No new date has been arranged as yet.

Snow, cash bids and more snow

A bleak and quiet Christmas at Sixfields then as two games are called off due to snow and the main talking points are happening off the pitch as an apparant bid for a League Two striker has been made - a cash bid no less - sparking heated debates on message boards as to who the mystery man is.

Plenty of speculation as we head into the January transfer window but we could do with getting a game on this Tuesday at Hereford but I would imagine that it's already in doubt as snow continues to haunt League Two football, giving us a winter break of sorts!

A Merry Christmas to you all in any case and let's hope we have some action to report on soon...Stay safe Kids!

Game OFF

Today's game against Morecambe has been called off due to a frozen pitch. The Cobblers had hoped to get it on but overnight frost has put paid to that and along with most League Two sides are facing a blank afternoon!

Cobblers hold off ten man attack

Stevenage Borough 0-1 Northampton Town
League Two
Saturday, December 11th 2010

Red cards have been a painful part of this season for the Cobblers with a number of marching orders being given to Town players over the first few months of the campaign. So it was with a great deal of relief that we finally got one the other way on Saturday with Stevenage’s Darius Charles shown red for a dangerous challenge on John Johnson just after coming off the bench at half-time.

By then we had already taken a lead that would just about see us through to the end of the game to claim all three points with after Ryan Gilligan’s well taken volley in the fifteenth minute stole a crucial second win on the road this season to build up some momentum before a decent looking run of games up until the new year.

It was by no means plain sailing though as Boro pushed us all the way and could easily have gone home with a share of the spoils themselves, particularly with a stoppage time effort from former Town loan man Josh Walker that smacked the cross bar and the home side will feel that they were more deserving of better things than coming out of this one pointless.

But the Cobblers had to show character of their own and managed to keep the side fresh and attacking with second half substitutes Leon McKenzie and Craig King putting more doubts into Sammo’s mind as to what his best front pairing is. Chris Dunn also came out of the game with a lot of credit as he was called upon to keep out Boro leading scorer Chris Holroyd with a fine near post stop.

So all in all a positive result at a ground where not many sides come away with three points. Indeed it was only Boro’s second league defeat at Broadhall Way all season and it reminds me of a similar result that was ground out at Dagenham last season on the long road back up the League Two table.

Fingers crossed that this one points us in exactly the same direction.

Seventeen up for Sammo

A milestone was passed this week as Ian Sampson crawled through into his eighteenth year with Northampton Town Football Club, an association that has seen the popular ex defender rise from reliable head to young manager in a period that will span three decades should he remain in place until the New Year.

No mean feat then for a humble northern lad plucked from Sunderland in 1994 after just 21 appearances. Who knew then that the relationship between the Cobblers and Sammo would last another seventeen years and see him eventually end up as the main man at the top as first team manager.

449 appearances sets himself aside in itself and the fact that he’s survived a couple of scares managerial wise over the last couple of months, namely a five game winless streak, shows the regard that he’s held in at the club both in the knowledgeable board room and on the terraces where Cobblers fans have given him a lot more patience than they would have if pretty much anyone else was in charge.

But after looking back on his tenure with the club you have to admit that Sammo has earned every minute of patience granted to him over the last few months. Personally I have so much time for Sammo that my judgement can be clouded a little when folk on internet forums attack him but after trudging through the nineties and early “naughties” with Sammo in the back four as I travelled the width and length of the country I think that’s ok.

What has set Sammo aside is that he’s not a superstar, he never was. He never sought the spotlight or demanded a bigger wage packet (to my knowledge anyway) and all he wanted to do was give 100% for Northampton Town, something that he’s still doing now whether you believe him to be the right man for the job or not.

Quite simply, Ian Sampson for me is Mr Northampton Town of the present times and if this blog can do one thing with this article I hope it gives younger readers some idea of the regard held by Town fans of Sammo’s playing days.

The Cure once said “Seventeen Seconds, A Measure of Life.” What that makes Seventeen Years is something beyond contemplation in this day and age of football disloyalty and greed. Here’s to Sammo’s legacy continuing long and hard towards twenty years. No-one deserves it more.

Festive season begins at Stevenage

Ian Sampson begins his eighteenth year at the club by visiting Stevenage Borough, a place full of controversy last time the sides met at the same venue. Almost exactly five years ago in December of 2005, the Cobblers were held to a 2-2 draw here in the FA Cup by the then non league club but the main talking point made headlines across the country. Lionel Perez, the ex professional goalkeeper for Cambridge among others, was a coach for the Boro' at the time and took offence at something that Cobblers coach Dave Watson said/did and poked him in the eyes on the touchline!

The Cobblers, and Scott McGleish, had the last laugh in the replay as the Cobblers striker re-enacted the assault in the goal celebrations during the 2-0 win at Sixfields and the clubs haven't met again until now.

I'm sure that's the last thing on any of the players' minds going in to this one but Sammo will certainly remember the last visit to Broadhall Way.

Boro's top scorer will be back in action for the Cobblers' visit - Chris Holroyd was ineligible for the FA Cup victory over Wimbledon - whilst Ben May could also come back into contention after being rested for the same game.

Sammo could stick with the same team as in the 2-0 home win over Stockport last weekend as we look to kick start the Christmas period. The one decision he might have to make is whether or not to include Michael Jacobs in place of Andy Holt who came off at half time in that one.

With a lot less drama expected then our last trip to Stevenage we'd settle for a simple and scrappy one goal win thank you very much!

Christmas period crucial for getting out of trouble

With Christmas approaching there’s, as always, a hectic line up matches that will be looking to dodge the cold weather and help the Cobblers through to January hopefully in good spirits. It’s traditionally a make or break period for many clubs and the following few weeks should hold a good indication as to which end of the table we’ll be battling in come May.

It’s not the easiest start to the run this weekend away at Broadhall Way with Stevenage taking well to the challenge of League Two football and a match for anyone at home. Home games against Morecambe (18th Dec) and Burton Albion (Boxing Day) give us a chance of racking up much needed points while the last game of 2010 sees us travel to Edgar Street to face fellow strugglers and current bottom club Hereford United.

So there’s plenty of scope to dig ourselves out of trouble in these festive times...hopefully by the time we enter 2011 we’ll be breathing in the chilly air a little easier!

Snow Problem for victorious Town

Northampton Town 2-0 Stockport County
League Two
Saturday, December 4th 2010


Incredibly good work from the Sixfields ground staff meant that today’s game went ahead as planned but Stockport will be wishing that the snow had got the better of us after goals from Kevin Thornton and Michael Jacobs decided a heated game in the chilly air of Northampton.

The fact that just one other League Two game got the go ahead today, Oxford’s 2-1 win over Barnet, meant that the Cobblers move up to eighteenth and we must use Oxford themselves as an example as team who were in the bottom two a few games ago and who now reside in the top half of the table. In fact, Barnet aside it’s not been too bad a run in the last month or so and we have to take this on into Christmas, the most vital period of the season.

It was two midfielders that won it this afternoon for Sammo’s men with Kevin Thornton beating three men to fire us in front after just four minutes and Michael Jacobs rounding things off in the last ten after coming off the bench to replace Andy Holt at half time.

Apart from that there were plenty of talking points. A denied penalty for a foul on John Johnson that wasn’t deemed an offence, a pull back on Billy McKay by Tom Aldred in the County defence when it looked like he was the last man and Greg Tansey getting booked for booting the ball at Abdul Osman while he was on the deck!

But it’s goals that win you games and this was a massive win for the Cobblers, not least because it was against another struggling side and had we failed to pick up maximum points we could have been looking nervously over out shoulder by the time the rearranged games for everyone else takes place.

As it is, it’s onwards and upwards and the slow recovery gains a little bit more momentum. On a day when freezing conditions threatened to rob us of Saturday football, a good home win is perfect tonic to warm the cockles as winter sets in.

Cobblers must attack leaky defence

Go for goals must be the message from Sammo ahead of tomorrow afternoon’s game with Stockport County at Sixfields. The Hatters have the worst goal difference in League Two ahead of the weekend and have suffered three 5-0 defeats in the past month. No better time for Leon McKenzie to shake off his injury then and return to boost the Cobblers’ attack after missing the game at Hillsbrough last weekend.

John Johnson is also expected to come back into the side and apart from Tadhg Purcell Sammo has a full squad to choose from. Craig Hinton and Steve Guinan have both gone out on loan to Luton and Forest Green Rovers respectively with Guinan’s move apparently looking to become permanent come January.

For County, Matty Mainwaring is still around a month away from recovery whilst Danny Swailes is another long term absentee. But the main concern for Paul Simpson is his leaky defence and he’ll be just as keen to turn things around as Sammo will be.

It could make for a passionate game between two struggling sides and so long as the 9:30am pitch inspection goes to plan then there’s a real chance for one of us to start the Christmas season off in style.

A Little Faith

There was a pretty good excuse for me not updating this blog since Saturday’s defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup. For while the game was being played out I was in the middle of the biggest and most important day of my life. On Saturday, November 27th 2010 I became a father.

With contractions starting on Thursday night, it was a horrendous ordeal for my incredible girlfriend Marta, her strength shining through in what was a long and painful night, day, evening, another night and another day! For me the only pain that I suffered was watching her go through this minute by minute and not being able to do anything about it. I dug deep in myself though to find a support that was very much needed through around forty hours of strain.

But at 5pm exactly, my life changed forever. My beautiful baby girl was brought into this world healthy as you like and screaming the house down! Plenty of fathers will tell you this but there really is nothing like the feeling of holding your child for the first time and as I was handed my daughter the emotions of the previous two days came bursting out.

After such an experience there was only one name on our list that fitted perfectly. One word that summed up everything we needed through it and everything we will need from now on to be the best parents possible...Faith.

So Faith Isha Brothers-Marquez is her official name, an addition to a remarkable group of friends and family that were rooting for her from the off. You know who you are, so thank you for all your messages of support through the day and since. Thanks also go to the midwives and doctors of Bath Royal Union Hospital who were immense and patient (though the chances of any of them reading this are incredibly long!).

But the main thanks go to Marta, who has shown courage, bravery and even humour through the birth of our daughter and who I couldn’t imagine ever being without again.

I know this blog is primarily about football but the fact that I didn’t realise the Cobblers had played on Saturday until midnight when I was getting reading to sleep shows you that there are far more important things in life sometimes. Of course things will be back to full working order when I listen in on Saturday’s game with Faith, both in name and in word!

Danny

New striker checks in

Leyton Orient striker Ryan Jarvis beat the loan deadline to make a move to Sixfields last night and will be in the squad for Saturday's FA Cup game at Sheffield Wednesday. Jarvis, 24, has scored three times for the League One club this season but has seen first team opportunities lessen in recent weeks and joins Town until January.

Jarvis, previously of Norwich, Colchester, Kilmarnock and Notts County, brings more competition for places up front and again seems to signal the end for Steve Guinan who remains on the transfer list ahead of the January window. Meanwhile, it looks like Billy Mckay, Craig King and Jarvis will battle it out for a starting place along side Leon McKenzie who is first choice, whilst also covering for the leading scorer if fitness worries creep in again.

Frustration the key at Hillsborough

If we're to get anything at all from the FA Cup game on Saturday at Hillsborough then we need to hold our discipline firmly and try to frustrate the Owls in the early going. Our hosts very much need the money that progression to the Third Round provides with questions still hanging over their heads about where a new owner may come from. Milan Mandaric has rekindled his interest this week and could be about to wipe out the club's debts but either way they'll be looking to get through to a potential money spinning tie.

Wednesdays intentions for the competition were certainly obvious in the previous round where they trounced Southport 5-2 and since then they've continued to fire home the goals with four wins and thirteen goals in four games including the hammering of bottom club Walsall on Tuesday night. That was a result that put Wednesday back into fourth place in League One and they'll be huge favourites for this one.

But the Cobblers have been at their best this term when our backs have been against the wall and as long as we don't give them a hefty lead or a man advantage in the early goings then tensions could mount and supporters might well grow nervy.

The Anfield spirit is needed, and maybe just maybe we can write another piece of cup history for this season at another one of the most iconic grounds in English football.

Miller's tale ends well for Town

Rotherham United 2-2 Northampton Town
League Two
Tuesday, November 23rd 2010

After the mauling of Underhill, the last place we wanted to find ourselves on a cold Tuesday night was Rotherham, a place where we had two players sent off last season and suffered a defeat that all but ended the slim playoff hopes of that particular term. Being two goals down inside the opening twenty minutes didn’t help either and you got the feeling that things were about to take another downward turn.

But Town decided that this was going to be another night to stun us when we felt at a low point of the season and with a sudden surge of energy scored twice in the space of three crazy minutes to completely turn the game around. First, Abdul Osman slotted home and then seemingly seconds later, Andy Holt netted for the first time this season with a fine finish to level the game and make both sets of fans scratch their heads as they tried to figure out what on earth was going on!

Leon McKenzie so nearly made it 3-2 a few minutes later as well and had that, or Craig King’s later opportunity, flew in then we could have completely wiped out the blues from Saturday afternoon. As it was though, both sides had to settle for a point and an even second half justified a score line that Sammo will be a lot happier with than his opposite number Ronnie Moore.

Going to Rotherham, particularly in their temporary home of the Don Valley Stadium (not a nice place to play football), is a tough ask at the best of times but with pressure building at the foot of the table it’s a big result to get a point having come from behind.

League Two is as tight as it comes at the moment and it’s not just manager speak that a couple of wins can get you shooting up the league. Indeed had we scored again last night we could be looking at being 20th or higher rather than lingering above the drop zone. So still no need to panic then and this determined display could be an excellent tonic to kick on once more.

There’s a bit of respite before the next league game with the FA Cup trip to Hillsbrough on Saturday afternoon providing a welcome distraction and a chance to have a go at a club steeped in tradition. If that trip to Yorkshire ends up anything like this one then we’ll be very happy indeed!

2,000!

No, that's not the number of red cards the Cobblers have this season (though we're pushing close!) but the number of posts made on this blog since I started back in 2006. Many posts have been jubilant, a few too many more haven't been but with such a milestone here I'll try not to linger too much on Barnet (shudders).

It was dismal wasn't it?! Another red card after going a goal up through Leon McKenzie, and a complete capitulation after that. The recent revival shouldn't be forgotten as message boards once again turn to talk of sacking Sammo/Cardoza resigning but the perilous position of third bottom needs to be sorted.

There's not a great chance of making it any better at fourth placed Rotherham on Tuesday night, a venue where we had TWO players sent off last time out and it's bad timing for the cup tie at Hillsbrough that looms on Saturday too. But we have to rubbish talks of Sammo going immediately.

I've been pro-Sammo from the start and maybe have a bias from watching him throughout the nineties as a player but a couple of wins again and we'll be back in the mixer - it's getting through a game with eleven men on the pitch that's needed first and foremost!

Anyway, more pressing matters and our baby still hasn't arrived but the sense of deflation after the Underhill disaster was certainly lessened as has been any defeat of late. I've been able to take things with a bit more of a pinch of salt than usual with such a mammoth life change about to happen.

I'm not saying I've lost my passion for the Cobblers but a defeat the Football League's bottom club isn't a worry to me as much any more. Worrying whether a little life will be safely delivered gives you more of a perspective on things and although I'll be the first to drown my tears in a pint of Guiness if we face an unthinkable relegation in May, I know that I'll still be a Cobbler if we're Premier League or non-league. I'm comfortable with that and that's probably why I'm more relaxed about the weekend's result and the league table at the moment.

It seems a long time since missing a Cobblers game was the end of the world. Maybe I really am starting to grow up?! Scary, but after 2,000 mini rants to the half listening world, maybe it's about time.

I look forward to 2,000 more posts and many more after that because this still gives me a platform to release my rantings. Who knows, by the time I write about the Rotherham game, I'll have a little face looking up at me and begging me not to get her involved in all these emotions of following Northampton Town.

No chance, she's a Cobbler, just like her old man. That's that!

Here's to 2,000 more...don't worry, keep calm and carry right on. Or something like that.

Up the Cobblers!

Osman's ban overturned!

Huzzah! An overturning of the red card today means that Abdul Osman will be back to face Barnet on Saturday. Osman was very harshly shown his marching orders just before half-time but the Football Association has reviewed the incident and rescinded the decision.

So finally some sense from the FA who also reduced the ban of Bradford City midfielder Tommy Doherty from three games to one after he saw red during the defeat to Wycombe on Saturday.

So are we seeing some lenience from the F.A. at last? I personally can't remember a decision like this for the Cobblers in recent years so it's good to see them view the incident and over rule the referee.

The red card remains on Osman's record but there will be no ban in place as we head to Underhill this weekend.

Cobblers appeal Osman red card

Thankfully the club have done the right thing having reviewed the video of Abdul Osman's red card and are appealing the three match ban that the midfielder would have to take should the sending off stand. Admittedly we do have a bad disciplinary record this season but this one was completely unjust and wrong.

Osman appeared to get the ball fairly in the challenge right in front of the West Stand on Saturday and with the game finely poised it could be argued that we could well have gone on to win the game if Osman wasn't shown red.

The results of the appeal should be known by Tuesday afternoon this week.

Osman off but Cobblers claim point

Northampton Town 0-0 Port Vale
League Two
Saturday, November 13th 2010

There’s 0-0 draws and then there’s 0-0 draws. I don’t quite know what I mean by that but it’s something along the lines of there being two different versions of the good old stalemate. Example One, as seen on Wednesday night as two of the ‘biggest names’ in English football, Manchesters United and City, was awful and a neither side deserved to come away with even a point after showing no desire at all to win what should be one of the biggest games of their respective seasons.

But then there’s the type seen yesterday at Sixfields, a game where either side could have won, chances went begging and despite being down to ten men for 46 minutes of the game The Cobblers could easily have come away with maximum points.

It was Abdul Osman’s harsh red card, though, that will steal all the headlines with the game ruined by a poor referee, Iain Williamson, after he gave Abdul Osman his marching orders for what looked like a ball winning tackle just before half-time. The last time Williamson was in charge of a Cobblers game was a 2-1 defeat at Colchester in January 2009 in a game where he sent off Paul Rodgers dead on half-time and we threw away a lead to fall to defeat that day. Thankfully his error this time didn’t have such a negative effect this time and the incident fired up the game instead.

After the break, both sides battled hard in search of a winner and there were no real signs of shutting up shop. Vale went close through Doug Loft but Chris Dunn was at full stretch to tip the ball away. At the other end, Michael Jacobs produced a stunning effort from distance that threatened to steal it for Sammo’s men.

Loft hit the bar late on as we hung on but a draw was a fine and fair result that had most Cobblers fans going home happy. That’s more progress in the recovery from the five game losing streak and we would have taken a draw before hand so with ten men it’s more than acceptable as we head into a couple of weeks away from Sixfields, starting with Barnet next Saturday.

Thankfully, Mr Williamson won’t be anywhere near us at Underhill!

King signs on in time for Vale game

The Cobblers have signed front man Craig King on a month’s loan from Leicester City this afternoon. King’s goal scoring record isn’t too impressive, with just three from twenty eight games on loan at Hereford last season, but he has scored at Sixfields for the Bulls – in their 3-1 win over Town around a year ago.

Despite the lack of real goal scoring records, he’s described as more of a battling and hard working striker that will quickly win over the fans. He’s got a good chance to immediately do that if he helps us to victory over Port Vale on Saturday and the signing adds pressure to Billy McKay to keep his place assuming that Leon McKenzie won’t be held back should he be passed fit to play.

Vale a massive test for resurgent Town

Port Vale are sure to really test the mettle of the reinvigorated Cobblers on Saturday afternoon and Sammo's men will have to be at their very best to beat a side that's only lost twice in the league all season and just once on the road. But we should take some hope from the fact that Vale have drawn their last four away from home including a late salvation of their F.A. Cup campaign to hold minnows Dartford Town last weekend.

Winger Lewis Haldane made his first appearance of the season in that game after being struck down by an infection in the summer following an insect bite and his return is being heralded in the Potteries as something to really kick the club on once more.

We need no introduction to Vale's leading scorer of course with Marc Richards' ten goals firing them up into the automatic promotion places and his strike partner and namesake Justin Richards isn't half bad either, with five goals so far. Rico scored at Sixfields last season only for his spot kick to be cancelled out Bayo Akinfenwa's own penalty and we should expect a similiarly close match this weekend.

The Cobblers, scrapping rather than entertaining for the points at the moment, need to ruffle the feathers early on and not give ourselves too much work to do in coming from behind. This side seem to thrive on being in front and that's when we've played our best football of the season, particularly at places like Lincoln where a crucial win was set up from simply being in front rather than playing catch up.

There's still plenty left in this season and a point wouldn't be the end of the world against Vale who will surely be contending for the title come May. Slow progress is the key at the moment and as long as we're not dragged back to the murky depths of the relegation battle we can be pleased for now!

Reduced Prices again for cup tie

The confirmed date for the Sheffield Wednesday cup tie is Saturday, November 27th with a 3pm kick off and the clubs have agreed reduced prices, as has been the case in most of our cup adventures this season.

Season ticket holders can get their hands on tickets for the Second Round game for just £12 (adults), and £6 (concessions) whilst those paying on the day and non season ticket holders will only pay up to £15 for their entrance fee to Hillsbrough.

Hillsbrough trip in F.A. Cup

The Cobblers will travel to Hillsbrough in the FA Cup Second Round after the draw was made this afternoon. Sheffield Wednesday saw off Southport in the televised game and were instantly drew against the Cobblers at home.

It's a very tough ask to go there and win but you never know with our cup exploits this season. Plenty of our fans will travel once more and there's certainly nothing to lose in that one. The match will take place on the weekend of 27/28 November.

Cup adventures go on!

Forest Green Rovers 0-3 Northampton Town
FA Cup First Round
Saturday, November 6th 2010

Michael Jacobs has gone from one end of the footballing spectrum to the other and back again in just a few short months this season. Starting the campaign as a secret weapon of a youngster trying to break into the first team, his stock grew and grew until he scored the vital second goal at Anfield in front of the Kop and then slotted home a penalty in the shoot out. But it was back to smaller and far less grand surroundings yesterday with Jacobs scoring the third goal in a comfortable 3-0 win at Conference side Forest Green Rovers.

The goal, a fine finish from just outside the area, was Jacobs’ first touch after replacing Paul Rodgers with fifteen minutes to go and rounded off a good win that sends the Cobblers through to within one more step of yet another potential money spinning tie. There were one or two moment to scare the Cobblers in this one but the biggest threat of Forest Green getting back into the game died out when Reece Styche had a penalty saved by Chris Dunn. Relief all round there, particularly for Ben Tozer, who had brought down Ross Dyer to concede the spot kick.

With the score at 2-0 at that point there could well have been a nervy last half hour in store for Town had the penalty gone in but instead Sammo’s men held out for a third straight win that lifts confidence further following the most rockiest of Octobers.

The first half goals came from John Johnson, a rasping volley from distance and from Steve Guinan who latched onto a Billy McKay pass and coolly slotted under James Bittner for the second. That was the platform we needed to professionally kick on after the break and seal a route through to Round Two.

The cup adventures that we’ve had this season are not over quite yet and a handy draw this afternoon (ITV1 at 2pm, the Cobblers are ball number 33) would give us yet more hope of glamour in this bizarre season. Greedy, much?!

Tozer back to bolster defence

Ben Tozer resigned for the Cobblers yesterday and walked straight back into the starting line-up at Lincoln. The defender, on loan again from Newcastle United, was banned for three games at the end of his last spell but returned in quick fire fashion at Sincil Bank to keep a clean sheet and help Town to a 2-0 victory so let’s hope he’s learnt lessons from his sending off against Hereford, after which he was sent back north.

Without a doubt he’s a big talent and will hopefully form a good partnership with Dean Beckwith in the coming weeks, defence being key to climbing the table once more.

Beckwith meanwhile has helped himself to two goals in two games, a case of the old London buses syndrome with those being his first and second goals for the club. Long may that continue, and a partnership flourish with the man returning from Tyneside with unfinished business at the Cobblers.

Cobblers WIN AT SINCIL BANK!!

Lincoln City 0-2 Northampton Town
League Two
Tuesday, November 2nd 2010

I don't know what everyone was worried about! Five straight defeats, worrying about Sammo's position and some poor showings can now hopefully be put to bed after we recorded a first win at Lincoln since 1992 this evening. Dean Beckwith and John Johnson got the goals, both from corners, to fire us three points clear of the bottom two and we can all breath again for now.

What could be the only worry is injury problems with Kevin Thornton not even in the squad and Leon McKenzie coming off just after half time. Both will be checked out this week ahead of the cup tie at Forest Green on Saturday but fingers crossed that neither is serious.

Back to the good news though and a splendid result at a ground that's become a stinker in recent years and plenty of praise for the players for putting in a fine shift this evening to set us up well for both the cup game on Saturday and the next league game against a high flying Port Vale side. The starting line up remained the same and a good old fashioned slog resulted in the couple of hundred Town fans going home from Lincoln very happy....finally!!

Relief all round with first win...now for those pesky Imps!

Phew! Huuuge sigh of relief on Saturday with that slightly unexpected victory over Gillingham and my evil plan of predicting treacherous waters worked as the Cobblers piled on the away day misery for Gillingham. It was a much more direct and hard working line up from the Town and it worked wonders despite an early goal, not from Bayo, but from Chris Palmer for Gillingham. But the turn around was complete even before half time with Dean Beckwith finally netting his first goal for the club and Leon McKenzie slotting home a penalty to contiue his excellent start in a claret shirt.

With Kevin Thornton dropped to the bench in favour of a work horse of a midfield foursome in Gilligan, Osman, Wedderburn and Holt and Billy McKay partnering McKenzie up top it was a dogged display that was very much needed and hopefully we can push on tonight at Lincoln. If we are to record a first win at Sincil Bank since 1992 and pull further away from the bottom two – Saturdays’ results pushed us up to the heady heights of 21st with Lincoln down to 22nd – we will need to be at our best against a side trying to prove their worth in front of new boss Steve Tilson. Tilson has overseen two draws so far in his reign and will be desperate to achieve a first win tonight.

A big crowd is expected with reduced prices for home fans and an expectancy that’s been lifted by the decent start from Tilson. Coming from behind twice at Wycombe is no mean feat and they’ll be a tough nut to crack. Gavin Hoyte and Luke Howell came into their squad at the weekend and should keep their places to make home debuts while Josh Gowling and Ashley Grimes may all be handed first starts after joining on loan.

So plenty to think about for Sammo who will have to decide which route to take in terms of battling for the points in a route one direction once more or trying to play through the Imps by bringing Thornton back in. All may lie with McKenzie who is battling to be fit with a knee problem so if he doesn’t make it there could be another reshuffle.
Thankfully, we didn’t get the expected beating on Saturday so fingers crossed for another turn in fortune at Sincil Bank.

Come on Town!

Love is...

Ooh look he's getting all soppy! This isn't poetry or a love letter to Neil Grayson, but a quick ode to my long suffering, and heavily pregnant, girlfriend Martha (who isn't watching me write this by the way!) for actually coming up with - yes, COMING UP WITH - the idea of putting my claret Northampton Town Wembley flag above our brand new sofa in the new place!

It may be the hormones but if that's not love then I don't know what is!

(photo will follow very soon...!)

Trepidation over double header...

So the cup run is over and the focus now turns back to the league and getting ourselves out of this miserable predicament we find ourselves in. Joint bottom of the football league, we must hope that Gillingham’s own poor run away from home continues. 33 games have gone since the Gills last won away and that all points to a victory at Sixfields for the returning Bayo and Jackman. The last set of fixtures that we need right now are against a side that need a win away in Gillingham and at a haunted ground for Cobblers teams of recent history, Sincil Bank, on Tuesday night.

The form book shouldn’t, of course, play much part but that niggling feeling is that the Cobblers will hand out that long awaited win to Gillingham – both because of that run and because Bayo will more than likely get on the score sheet! Then it will be to Lincoln on Tuesday night, a place where we haven’t won since 1765...

I could, and most definitely hope I am, wrong, but I’m sure a lot of you have the same feeling going into this double header, one of trepidation and inevitability. On the other hand, I still wish I was there to lend my voice and support. We all want Sammo to lift the side out of the doldrums and back into mid table security that is looking mightily attractive right now, if it wasn’t before.

The back four should at least be functioning a bit better again tomorrow afternoon with Dean Beckwith returning, John Johnson back in the fold after seeing out his suspension at Ipswich as well as Craig Hinton, who put in ninety minutes on Tuesday night, to further boost the cause. Holty’s strength is needed now more than ever to boot Bayo into touch but, as attractive as the prospect of kung fu kicking Danny Jackman into another fake injury might be, please no more red cards this week lads!

All I can say is that the footballing Gods need to be back on our side this week...four points from these two will be a real good start in the long road back.

Another quick hello...g'wan the lads!

Hello there! Again, a brief greeting for now...internet is on at our new place next Tuesday and then I'll be back on here more often.

It's the big night at Ipswich tonight and a chance to get away from the disastrous league form. It would be completely like us to go at win there given all the poor league form but we'll have to do it without John Johnson, who's ban (the third red card in three games for the Cobblers)will stand for tonights' game.

Craig Hinton, maker of the behnid the scenes action from Anfield during his time off the pitch, could be in line for a start though with Sammo looking likely to fill in the back line that looks a bit dilapidated. The defender is well missed and his form towards the end of last season could be very handy to call upon once again.

Oxford seemed like another difficult game for the players and fans and with all the defeats it makes me want to be back involved as a fan even more than usual. It's bizarre, but in bad times I find myself wanting to be there every week every bit more in the hope that my ugly mug will spur the lads on!

For one night though, we can put it behind us. It's a massive game and we might as well just have a go at Roy Keane's men with every bit of energy as at Anfield. If the footballing Gods have their way, and Cobblers law of the Town coming good against bigger clubs, it could yet be the most unlikely of big nights.

We all know that Gillingham, having not won in 33 away games, will take home the points at Sixfields on Saturday, but let's enjoy tonight and go for it.

Up The Cobblers!

Danny

Move complete!

Well it's been a tough week but it's been good, in a way, to be distracted from the doom and gloom at Sixfields by moving house and starting our new life in Radstock, just outside of Bath. The move was stressful as ever but boxes are slowly starting to clear and we're on the way to making it a home in time for the little un's arrival!

The Cobblers travel to Oxford this weekend and we certainly need a lift like we've not needed one for a very long time. Since the Liverpool and Bradford wins, it's been four straight defeats and the seach for a leader on the pitch has frustrated Sammo and Malc this week. Ben Tozer has returned to Newcastle with a three match ban under his arm and with Dean Beckwith also suspended Marcus Hall looks likely to get the nod in central defence at The Kassam.

We're clinging on for dear life at the moment at the foot of League Two so as one move nears its completion I'm praying that the next move sees the Cobblers climbing the table in time for Tuesday night's cup tie at Ipswich!

Back offline for a bit now but will be back sporadically until the start of November when internet is fitted to our new place!

Back Soon!

Just a quick note to say that we're on the move, from Southampton to Bath this time, to kick off a new life and prepare for the birth of our daughter (one month to go!) so there's going to be a bit of time where I don't post for a week or so while internet is sorted at our new place.

Hopefully I'll be back soon with some better news from the Cobblers...let's try not to think too much about the weekend defeat to Hereford which was nothing short of a disaster to let a three goal lead slip against the bottom side!

Anyway, hopefully won't be too long before my ramblings are back up on here so see you again soon!

Up The Cobblers!

Danny

Pitman still in charge for Bulls' visit

Jamie Pitman will remain in his role as Hereford United caretaker manager for the weekend clash with the Cobblers with the former Bulls midfielder impressing so far. United held top club Port Vale with only ten men last weekend and Pitman is keen to keep going in his new role, having stepped up from Physio to take the helm.

Having appeared over 150 times for the club, Pitman could well be an outsider to take full time control with the Cobblers' own Steve Guinan apparently in line for a player-coach position. The likes of Les Parry and Nigel Adkins have all stepped out of physio positions to do well in management so there's certainly no reason why Pitman shouldn't be handed a chance.

Let's just hope that he doesn't further stake his claim this weekend!

Cobblers youngster signs for Chelsea!

Chelsea have splashed out on a surprise new signing this afternoon – The Cobblers’ eleven year old striker Michael Gyasi! Gyasi has been in the centre of excellence for the last three years and has progressed enough for the Premier League champions to sign him for an undisclosed fee.

Hats off to all involved for this one with the money being planned for improvements to the youth development programme with the club. One to watch for sure!

Keep Sammo and Keep The Faith!

Message boards have, predictably, began the what seems to have become annual questioning of the manager and whether Sammo's time is running out.

I know the results aren't what we all expected but quite honestly it's too early to be talking of Sammo going. I'm not fortunate enough to have been at too many games this season so I can't perhaps comment as well as some on what's happening on the pitch.

But the way I see it there's a lot more to it then bad results. Torquay and Macclesfield aside, there's been plenty of deciding factors that have gone against us...

Accrington/Bury draws...on the face of it a game we could have won (Accrington) and a fine draw at one of the toughest places to go in the league (Bury).

Wycombe/Aldershot...Drawing against one of the better sides in the league and then letting in a 96th minute equaliser against another doesn't constitute failure in my eyes.

Southend...a terrific come from behind win.

Shrews...defeat that we must surely be able to take at a promotion favourite?

Bradford...Big win after the biggest night in our history a few days previous.

Chesterfield...All over them and then hit with two quick goal.

Chelts...On top until the sending off then still in the game with ten men, plus a late goal ruled out.

I know it sounds like excuses but for me we're not actually too far from being a top half club. What we also need to realise is that we're NOT a promotion contender this season, as hard as it is to say. Sammo did immensely well last season but lost his biggest asset and had to rebuild again and change the way we play. That take a lot longer than 11 league games and if we start chopping and changing then we'll be in even more trouble and have to start again.

I have enough faith in Mr Cardoza that he is backing Sammo and won't take silly measures. We can't, unfortunately, have instant success and jump up the leagues just like that. We must remember that there are teams with better players, more experience managers etc etc that are ahead of us at the moment. With a bit of support for the manager and the team and the club we love as a whole we can sit the storm out, be proud and grateful that we have a well run club in the league and start building towards the ultimate goal of promotion...eventually!

Keep Sammo and for our own sanity, Keep the faith!

Cobblers lose again on controverisal afternoon

Cheltenham Town 1-0 Northampton Town
League Two
Saturday, October 9th 2010


Controversial moments, a red card, a disallowed goal and a 1-0 defeat. Not what the doctor ordered at Whaddon Road this afternoon as the Cobblers fell to a third straight defeat that leaves us staring at the league table through our fingers this evening.

Dean Beckwith’s return to the squad didn’t last long at all and an already jumbled up starting eleven was even more pottered with when the former Hereford man was sent off on twenty two minutes. Beckwith apparently stamped on Shaun Jeffers in a scramble with the Cobblers defender saying afterwards that he simply couldn’t get out of the way. This was after a strong start from Sammo’s men, a start that had Kevin Thornton cursing his luck with a shot that flew just wide and a free kick that was saved by Scott Brown after hitting Billy McKay.

The game was turned on its head following the sending off though and the home side came to life. Jeff Goulding forced Chris Dunn into a good save before the break. But Goulding would be involved in the winner with his through ball converted by Brian Smikle on the hour mark. It would be a long way back from here and, indeed, we couldn’t fight back despite more controversy.

With three minutes to go, Leon McKenzie headed home but the flag was up and the goal disallowed despite the Town striker appearing a yard or so onside and Cheltenham escaped with the victory.

The fact that this defeat means that we’re hovering just one place above the drop zone is a massive worry ahead of bottom club Hereford’s visit next weekend. We can have all the controversy we want but the simple fact is that we’re not winning football games and the longer this streak goes on the more concerning we’ll all be about being involved in a relegation dog fight rather than pursuing matters at the other end of the table.

Time to get tough!

Cheltenham Town vs Northampton Town
League Two
Saturday, October 9th 2010

After a week’s rest for the first time in a while, it’s back t the action tomorrow with a tricky trip to Cheltenham Town. I was surprised to see, when checking out the head to heads this week, that the Cobblers are unbeaten in four games at Whaddon Road - a ground that started off as a real curse to any visiting Northampton sides.

The Robins are reasonably placed in League Two and recorded a fine win at Aldershot last weekend to leap into the top half of the table. Manager Mark Yates will be sweating on the fitness of Wes Thomas and JJ Melligan though with both set for late fitness tests.

Dean Beckwith returns to the Cobblers squad after shaking off his thigh injury but Courtney Herbert will be out for a couple of weeks having injured his calf this week. Sammo has said that the side need to get tougher after an aerial assault by Macclesfield sent us home pointless last week so we have to hope that we can add that strength to our passing game.

It’s big game territory already with a win taking us further from danger at the wrong end but defeat creating more than a few worried brows before the visit of bottom club Herford next Saturday.

Football League takes centre stage

With a weekend of international football taking place this weekend there’s a rare chance for Leagues One and Two to take centre stage on the home front. And whilst the money bags of the Premier League has been trotting away with only two major surprises – Liverpool’s demise and West Brom’s rise – going against the norm.

But if you’re an armchair fan with nothing to do this weekend but paint the shed or put up a shelf, head down to a local league team because it’s one of the only chances you’ll get to savour the wonders of the lower leagues.

In League One, Brighton and Hove Albion (who we have beaten this season of course!) are causing everyone to stand up and take note with their industrious performances under Gus Poyet and lead the division going into this weekend. Poyet’s men should be heralded not just for keeping the Posh off top spot but for doing so well ahead of the so called bigger clubs in the division. Charlton, Huddersfield, Southampton and Sheffield Wednesday who all languish in mid-table.

Fellow surprises come from Bournemouth who, despite losing 2-0 at St Mary’s last weekend, have stunned League One so far and are third whilst Rochdale, Exeter and Carlisle all punching above their weight.

League Two has had just as many twists in form with the plight of Peter Taylor’s Bradford a huge talking point with the Bantams second bottom. Simon Davey has been shown the door at Hereford with the club bottom of the pile – another pre-season favourite in the doldrums as we speak.

Accrington continue to surprise at the other end with only one defeat all season but Port Vale have set the league on fire and proven that they are more than just dark horses this season. Rico continues to knock in the goals for Vale to send them three points clear at the top.

So there’s plenty of entertainment to be had this weekend so get out of your chair and get down to your local football league club to bask in the glory of some of the most competitive leagues in the world!

A chance to take stock

With no midweek game this week, it’s a chance to have a breather at last! To say that we’re a little relieved to not be participate in the JPT tonight would usually be a negative comment but it’s nice to take stock tonight rather than worry about another game.

It’s been an odd start – 10 league games in and we’re showing no signs of a genuine promotion challenge from the Cobblers with the Carling Cup exploits hiding a bit of the stuttering start in League Two. Still early doors though and it’s certainly an unpredictable and entertaining league that we’re playing in. Two of this weekend’s games sum up the League Two season so far – Accrington 7-4 Gillingham and Chesterfield 5-5 Crewe were extraordinary games and it’s a shame that this division doesn’t get the coverage it deserves because it’s one of the most open leagues in the country at this point.

The Town players need this rest to regroup and really have a go at Cheltenham this weekend and will no doubt be fresher and have Sammo’s words ringing in their ears about matching their cup form to the league campaign. It’s crucial that we get at least a point from Whaddon Road or else we could get sucked into Bradford territory!

We need to toughen up, get playing our game again and remember that just one win can make all the difference in a league that’s anyone’s for the taking.

Down to earth at Moss Rose

Macclesfield Town 2-0 Northampton Town
League Two
Saturday, October 2nd 2010

If ever there was a setting to bring the Cobblers crashing back down to earth after the last couple of weeks then this was it. Moss Rose, usually a happy hunting ground for us, was this time the venue where we realised that we need to get tough again and realise we are in League Two.

The Chesterfield game on Tuesday night ended in defeat of course but a good display combined with a smash and grab victory for the Spireites still had us cursing our luck rather than taking notice of problems. Yesterday's defeat, however, handed to us by an ever improving Macclesfild side (this their third win in five games) will give Sammo his first few headaches of recent weeks.

In a dull game, we needed to step up to the less glamorous and comfortable arena but it was the hosts that settled and played their game to deservedly take home the win that helps them to leapfrog the Cobblers in the table.

It still seemed relatively out of the blue that the Silkmen took the lead when a controversial corner ended up, of course, with a goal when Hamza Bencherif finished well. The only reply from the Cobblers was a half chance that flashed wide from new loan signing Josh Parker who came in for Paul Rodgers on the right wing in Sammo's only change.

The second half started quietly but build into a better spell for us with Michael Jacobs having a few through balls blocked and Liam Davis shooting just over the bar. But it clearly wasn't to be a our day and a towering header from Maccs' Nat Brown finished us off and we were sent home to reassess our league form once more.

The major concern here is the question of whether the Cobblers can pick up their games at the so called "smaller" teams of League Two. The question will appear next week with a trip to Cheltenham Town. Another performance like this one and we'll be starting to look worrying at the wrong end of the table!

QPR winger makes loan move

The Cobblers have added to the squad ahead of the trip to improving Macclesfield tomorrow afternoon with QPR winger Josh Parker joining on a month long loan deal, up to and including the game with Gillingham at the end of October. Versatility is again the key point from Sammo with Parker able to play on the right wing or at full back and it certainly looks like one to improve the squad.

The highly rate 19-year-old has played twice for Rangers already this season and Sammo will be delighted to capture him ahead of tomorrow's game which Parker will be eligible for.

4,000 tickets for Ipswich tie!

After taking a hoard of fans up to Anfield, the club has acted fast to secure 4,000 tickets for Cobblers fans for the Carling Cup Fourth Round tie at Ipswich. The game won't be on TV but there shouldn't be too much of a struggle to get a ticket for this momentus occasion!

The game has been confirmed for Tuesday, October 26th at 7:45pm so over a month of hard league graft to go before then. The Tractor Boys will probably take it very seriously with Roy Keane hoping to avoid a repeat of his near embarrassment when manager of Sunderland as the Cobblers came to within a penalty shoot out of winning at the Stadium of Light.

So plenty of time to build up to this one and we should pack out Portman Road as we did Anfield!

Second half come back stuns Town

Northampton Town 1-2 Chesterfield
League Two
Tuesday, September 28th 2010

The week of celebration, jubilation and excitement is officially over! It all pointed towards a perfect end to the week when Kevin Thornton scored in the final seconds of the first half tonight but two goals in four second half minutes condemned Sammo's men to a first home defeat of the season.

The visitors went home happy despite the goals that appeared against the run of play and jump into the top three of League Two this evening. The Cobblers can now draw a line under the hype of the past seven days and try to kick on after a performance that wasn't exactly disastrous but was damaging to the resurgence that could have been continued even with a draw here.

Thorton, who had been the stand out talent once more in the first half, rounded it off in style by getting on the end of a parry from Spireites keeper Tommy Lee to nod home and give the Cobblers the lead.

But it all came crashing down in dramatic style as Chesterfield hit back with twenty minutes to go. First, Dean Morgan fired home following a corner and then Craig Davies completely stunned Sixfields and sent the small band of visiting fans home delighted with their night's work.

It's been a mad, mad week and there's so much more to come...we're only at the end of September, still in the Carling Cup and despite a poorish league position there's plenty of good signs so far.

We've got a long road ahead yet!

What a difference a week makes!

Northampton Town 2-0 Bradford City
League Two
Saturday, September 25th 2010

We could have been forgiven for using excuses in this one. But after Wednesday and the strains on the players’ bodies and minds from Anfield it was surprising to see a completely unchanged side take to the field at Sixfields. The heroes of Liverpool were given a terrific welcome and against a fresh Bradford side there was every chance of a tough afternoon.

But another fine performance, arguably the best in the league so far this season, resulted in a victory that continued the feel good atmosphere around the club ahead of another home game, this time against Chesterfield, on Tuesday night.

Billy McKay was involved in the first Cobblers attack yesterday and as he pulled the ball back to Michael Jacobs, the youngster was brought down. Kevin Thornton stepped up for the free kick and hit the top of the bar to set the tone for the afternoon. Bradford offered little and playing with a defender as an emergency striker was always going to stifle an attacking game.

So it was well deserved when the Cobblers did take the lead in the second half with Ben Tozer sending a high ball forward, Andy Holt flicking on and Billy McKay finishing with a low shot under the keeper. Tozer would go on to score on his home debut to wrap up the points after having the favour returned by McKay to stab home the second goal.

Bradford were another side to come for a point but as with Southend a couple of weeks ago we had enough to record a vital three points. Home form is massive in League Two and if we can get another result against high flying Chesterfield on Tuesday night it would make it would round off the perfect seven days.

This time last week we were drowning our sorrows after losing out at Shrewsbury and going to Anfield with trepidation. Amazing what can happen in football!

Ipswich reward for Cup exploits

Roy Keane will be loving this one...the Cobblers have been paired with Keane's Ipswich Town in Round Four of the Carling Cup. The Irishman was in charge of Sunderland when the Cobblers came so close to recording an upset in the same competition at the Stadium of Light a couple of seasons back and we will reacquaint ourselves at the end of October.

It was bound to be a smaller game then Anfield and Ipswich might well see it as a chance to get to the Quarter Finals but we have to believe that we have every chance with what we've done so far.

The game will take place in the week beginning October 25th so plenty of time to bask in the glory of Anfield still!

Back to the league with Bradford's visit...

Northampton Town v Bradford City
League Two
Saturday, September 25th 2010

So how on earth do we approach this one then? I’m trying to put myself in the players’ shoes ahead of the Bradford game and I reckon I’d be excited to take to the field again but also feeling nervous with the anticipation of trying to replicate the form on Wednesday. I’m pretty sure that we can’t come close to that performance again but what we can do is pass the ball as well and show just as much passion and fight. If we do that we’ll be fine! The problem’s going to be getting the minds back on the job and you often see teams that cause upsets beaten in the following league game.

With another home game, against Chesterfield, coming up on Tuesday and more than a few knocks hanging around from Anfield there could be a bit of reshuffling in the pack. Ben Tozer will surely get his league debut though with Dean Beckwith still missing but there could be late decisions on the likes of John Johnson who was withdrawn before the end of ninety minutes.

Bradford have had a similar start to the season to the Cobblers with seven points from seven games seeing them once again start slowly after being touted as favourites for promotion. The Bantams did pick up all three points last weekend though with a 1-0 success over Gillingham at Valley Parade. Steve Williams headed home the deciding goal in stoppage time with former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie pulling the strings after coming off the bench.

Hendrie will be pushing for a start tomorrow and if he starts, former Cobblers left back Robbie Threlfall will battle Luke O’Brien for a place at full back with O’Brien playing in midfield in recent weeks. Meanwhile, City will be without captain Simon Ramsden who needs to see a specialist about his calf injury. The game comes too soon for Michael Flynn who misses out with a groin strain.

The Cobblers will play a special radio tribute to the Liverpool game before kick off tomorrow and if we are half as inspired as we were at Anfield then we really don’t have much to worry about! After the Lord Major’s Show? Let’s hope not…

Lap it up!

So how many newspapers have you bought? In my possession already are copies of the Chron, Sun, Guardian and Express. All tell the same tale of a Liverpool side in disarray but thankfully the majority of the reports pay homage to the Cobblers as well. One thing is for sure, however many times you read about last night, whatever the angle, the score remains the same and I could read it every day for the rest of my life and not get bored!

The full extent of what we’ve achieved is just hitting home and the coverage we’re getting is well deserved. I still don’t believe what happened and it’s only with highlights and photos that it’s fully sinking in.

On that note, if you get the chance to, don’t pass up the opportunity to see some behind the scenes action on Cobblers Player...the videos, recorded on a hand held camera last night by Craig Hinton, are brilliant and a real insight into the players’ banter pre and post match. It’s well worth the £4 a month just to see this and the full highlights that should appear soon!

Keep on revelling in this one...we can drain this out a big longer I reckon. Hope you’re all enjoying it as much as I am!

The Greatest Night

Liverpool 2-2 Northampton Town (Cobblers win 4-2 on penalties)
Carling Cup Third Round
Tuesday, September 22nd 2010


The Carling Cup. “Meaningless”. “For the reserves”. A “Mickey mouse” cup. Just some of the descriptions of this competition over the years as fans of Premier League sides consoled themselves by saying that it isn’t that important anyway. But I can tell you now – after witnessing last night’s game first hand – that the Carling Cup deserves a hell of a lot more credit than just being seen as the playground for the second strings of our Premier League neighbours.

I usually have feelings ahead of the game when I know that something special is about to happen. I had it pre Rotherham, pre Mansfield and pre Bristol Rovers so when those feelings didn’t return ahead of this game, despite the sun beaming down on Sixfields, I thought that was that and it would just be a case of enjoying the trip to Anfield. Of course, there were other reasons for a bout of pessimism about the result in that Liverpool are one of the most world renowned clubs in the world, let along England, boast a clutch of internationals even in their reserves and have home advantage to boot. No-one could predict what was about to happen. Those that did, did so with a smile and a tongue very much in cheek. What unfolded in the following few hours will become folklore in the history of Northampton Town Football Club.

Jamie accompanied me on this trip to Anfield along with my Dad and we’d started the day in fine fashion by taking part in a tour of Wembley Stadium – the venue for the final of course. A ninety minute gander at the home of English football is highly recommended if you get the chance and provided a perfect start to the perfect day.

Onwards to the coach north then from Sixfields and after a small delay we were off and with the weather darkening as the journey went on we knew that it would be a good backdrop for a potential upset with rain teaming down. But still our threats to sneak a win against Liverpool seemed empty and overly optimistic when we really should have been concentrating on winning a corner first!

Arriving at Anfield in good time, we found our seats, very handily placed in Row 7 of the Anfield Road end, and looking around it appeared that the Claret faithful had taken up the full length of the stand behind the goal. The atmosphere kicked in, the army began to gather their voices, “You’ll Never Walk Alone” greeted the players on to the pitch and the Cobblers would be attacking the Kop in the first half. Never in my life did I expect to be writing that!

Liverpool had named a decent side with £12 million Dutch striker Ryan Babbel partnering Daid Ngog up front and former Rangers defender Danny Wilson handed a debut. The Cobblers lined up in a 4-5-1 formation with Leon McKenzie missing and Billy McKay handed the thankless task of leading the line on his own.

It didn’t take long for the script to begin to unfold as expected. Despite a good start from the Town, Milan Jovanovic got on the end of a through ball from Daniel Agger to finish very well past Chris Dunn. In League Two, that would have been a half chance – on this occasion it was a straight forward opportunity that the man signed on a free transfer in the summer was only too happy to accept.

This was the point when Liverpool got a bit cocky. They should have continued to pick us apart. We expected a drubbing following that start but slowly realised that we actually did have a chance here. Kevin Thornton tested Brad Jones and a soaring header from Michael Jacobs flew over the bar as we began to give the home side something to think about.

Jacobs was so very close to an equaliser on the half hour mark with a curling shot that only just went wide. We were turning the tide – Liverpool didn’t want this half as much as we did. The Cobblers were showing real grit and doing every single simple thing right combined with a terrific work ethic and spirit. It was only 1-0 at half-time and we were damn sure still in this one. The next goal would be vital and my goodness did we take the roof off when it came our way.

A few minutes before the hour mark, Liam Davis clipped in a cross, Kevin Thornton got a nod down and Billy McKay rifled the ball into the net. To say that the massed claret faithful went barmy is a huge understatement. We had scored a goal at Anfield, we had levelled the game at Anfield. I don’t think I was the only one with a tear forming in my eyes and I’m not afraid to say it. It wouldn’t be the last of the night!

Unbelievably the Cobblers turned the tide and were now on top and frantically looking for the winner. Thornton had a twice taken free kick blocked in what could have been a replica of John Frain’s moment of glory in ’97 and we were BATTERING them. Holty threw long throw after long throw into the ‘Pool area and crosses flashed in that just needed a touch but the ball stayed out of the net for now.

Sammo sensed extra time and made all three of his substitutions in quick succession. McKay was out on his feet and was replaced by Stevie G (Mr Guinan earning the nickname for the night in the absence of the Liverpool captain!), John Johnson was injured towards the end of ninety minutes and Nathanial Wedderburn took his place while Courtney Herbert took over on the right wing for Paul Rodgers.

We saw the time out, ninety minutes was up and unbelievably the Cobblers had taken Liverpool to extra time on their own patch. Not only that but we were fully deserving of it...no luck, no freak goal and no complaints from the home support who were just as stunned as we were.

The first half of extra time was spent on the edge of our seats. Nails were already bitten off. The shaking in our bones was not because of the cold but of nervous excitement. We were hanging on. Until...

Nine minutes in to extra time we had a rare attack. Herbert appeared to run with, and lose, the ball on the right before battling back, coming away with it and somehow getting a cross in at the Kop End. Thornton forced Jones into a save but there was nothing that could be done when 17-year-old Michael Jacobs slammed the ball home to make it 2-1! A moment so early in this young lad’s career to savour and one that will live with us all as we took the lead at Anfield. The scenes were barmy...grown men hugged random strangers, claret clad supporters leaped for joy whatever their age and when it had all settled down heads were shaking in disbelief.

We held out for half time in extra time. We dared to dream. That was when the cramps kicked in. Cobblers players left, right and centre were on their knees in the second half. Thornton was pushed up front because he was out on his feet, most of them were playing out of position and it was only a matter of time before the equaliser. Lucas and Jay Spearing tested our nerves before the inevitable when Ngog actually did something of note and nodded in at the back post to break Town hearts.

Now we had to somehow get through to penalties, right? Well yes, but why not have a go! God only knows how we managed to attack, let alone have the ball cleared off the line twice in an extraordinary finish. Liverpool came back at us and Liam Davis came up with a goal saving header that had hearts in mouths. But we made it. All the way through to penalties against one of the biggest clubs in Europe. Incredible and whatever happened next wouldn’t matter too much. We had given every ounce of energy and deserved this.

The spot kicks would be taken in front of The Kop and Guinan skied the first one to delight the home fans but it was level pegging again soon when Ngog put his wide. Thornton and Liverpool sub Jonjo Shelvey both scored, as did Davis and Agger. Jacobs stepped up to make it 3-2, a monumental effort from the youngster to show such nerve. And then it happened. Nathan Eccleston hit the bar! It was up for grabs now, as someone once said! All Abdul Osman had to do was score with one kick of the football to make history for the Cobblers. We held our breathe. It took an age for it to happen. But happen it did. Osman SCORED and Northampton Town Football Club collectively went absolutely barmy!

Board members, staff, management, players and supporters were united in a moment for the ages. A moment unmatchable and unbelievable in this day and age. The riches of the Premier League had been upset by a club with heart, players with a sheer will to win and a support that had been waiting for a moment like this through all the trips to Carlisle, Yeovil, Rochdale and Morecambe, through years of “Cobblers” jokes and through nights of despair when we questioned why we do it.

This is why we stay so loyal. Because once in a blue moon, something incredible happens.

I’ve never been more proud of a group of players. Young players with nothing to lose, experienced pros, in particular the phenomenal Andy Holt, and players rebuilding their careers. Of a manager that has a reward for years of loyalty to a League Two club. And of a town where I was born. Not a glamorous town, not a magnificent town. But my town. My Club.

Now, think again...is the Carling Cup really that worthless?

Tozer signs ahead of Anfield date

Phew...we have a defender! After Dean Beckwith was ruled out and Seb Harris had a mare it didn't look like we'd have a recognised centre back in place for Liverpool but fear ye not...arriving today was Ben Tozer from Newcastle to steady the ship and join the Cobblers on loan for a month.

Tozer began his career at Plymouth and joined Newcastle, via Swindon, in January 2008. Making his debut in a Carling Cup match against Peterborough last season, he went on to make his league debut later in the campaign.

Sammo tried to lure him in last season but has now finally got his man...for a month at least. Funny how a trip to Anfield changes things!

Deserved defeat ahead of Anfield trip

Shrewsbury Town 3-1 Northampton Town
League Two
Saturday, September 18th 2010


The general consensus from the hardy souls that travelled to Shrewsbury from Northampton on Saturday was that if we play anything like that at Anfield on Wednesday then our big night out will only be remembered for a heavy defeat and a little embarrassment.

It appears that in a year, since a 3-0 drubbing on the same ground in Sammo’s early days as manager, we’ve not learned a whole lot and despite a fine free kick from Kevin Thornton that briefly threatened to turn the game we’re not much better off than we were back then.

Thornton had equalised Matt Harrold’s opener in which Seb Harris, in defence in place of the injured Dean Beckwith, couldn’t do enough and the American was withdrawn before the interval with Paul Rodgers coming off the bench. It may be a long time before we see Harris in the back four again after he lasted just 35 minutes.

The second half saw a controversial goal turn the tide back towards the home side. John Johnson appeared to be fouled but there was neither a flag nor a whistle and Jake Robinson strode through to make it 2-1. Robinson made it three a few minutes later and our best effort was a Leon McKenzie disallowed effort.

Worrying times then ahead of a long, hard winter and you can’t use any excuses about Anfield being on the players’ minds because you have to earn your place and if Sammo had the resources he could well have been justified in giving others a go on Wednesday night. But as it is we don’t have a big enough squad to do that and if we’re to forget this first defeat in the league since the opening day we’re going to have to give blood and guts at the home of one of the most historic clubs in the world.

The squad’s looking thin, the winter’s setting in and there’s a long road ahead – we need more spirit than this on Wednesday otherwise we’re in for a hiding!

Play for you places!

Shrewsbury Town v Northampton Town
League Two
Saturday, September 18th 2010

Time to play for your Anfield places will surely be the message from Sammo tomorrow afternoon as we travel to joint league leaders Shrewsbury Town. With the first win of the season under our belt we can finally look forward and with the trip to Anfield looming the players should be well up for the trip to the New Meadow.

Last season Sammo, in one of his first games in charge, saw his side go down 3-0 at the Meadow and this one will see how far we’ve come in the twelve months since.

The Shrews will be without Benjamin Van Den Broek with an ankle injury sustained in a reserve game against Preston North End keeping him out for up to eight weeks.

Marcus Hall is still likely to be missing for the Cobblers but Ryan Gilligan should play through the pain once more. I expect to see Kevin Thornton get a nod in midfield as well with the enigmatic former Coventry man putting in an excellent shift against Southend.

With six wins from nine games this season, Shrewsbury are going to be a massively tough opponent but with confidence growing in camp Cobblers we have every chance of springing a surprise!

Gilligan playing through the pain to help the cause

Ryan Gilligan has never been one to shun his duties and has made a u-turn on his decision to have surgery on his injured ankle and has instead decided to play through the pain. He played 90 minutes in the 2-1 win over Southend on Saturday and will continue to put himself up for selection with Sammo all too happy to include him.

Refreshing to see a player want to continue to play in these circumstances, with the 'easy' option being to opt for surgery and collect a pay packet. So hats off to Gilly for a sign of wanting to play for our football club!

Liverpool tickets on General Sale

The remaining 2,500 tickets for Liverpool went on General Sale this morning so we should be looking at around 5,000 Town fans making the trip in just over a week. The opening hours for the ticket office are below with queues expected to be steady between now and close of play on Friday:

Ticket Office Opening Hours

Tuesday: 10am-5pm
Wednesday: 10am-5pm
Thursday: 10am-8pm
Friday: 10am-5pm

Cobblers recover to claim first league win

Northampton Town 2-1 Southend United
League Two
Saturday, September 11th 2010


The first win of the season - a mini mile stone in any teams’ season. Whether it be on the opening day or four months into the campaign, the same amount of relief can be exhaled on gaining that vital first three points. Indeed we have already seen off higher league opposition this season but to get the first win of the league campaign is a vital landmark and to do it having been behind makes it that much sweeter.

Southend United are happy just to have a club, let alone a win under their belts, but under Paul Sturrock there’s a sense that they can still deliver a promotion chasing campaign this time out. Add to that a dismal recent record against the Shrimpers and you get a tough afternoon at Sixfields – something that this definitely was.

Particularly after Anthony Grant had given the visitors a second half lead with a well taken volley did this look like another winless week for the Cobblers and it was only when Kevin Thornton replaced Paul Rodgers in midfield that we really got going.

Leon McKenzie was another to put in a fine shift on his debut and it was the former Posh man that did enough to set up Abdul Osman for the equaliser – a fifth draw in a row now getting ever nearer with Osman’s decent finish beyond Glenn Morris in the Southend goal. Game on!

The Cobblers grew in confidence and with a strong 5,700 crowd urging those three points home, Andy Holt stooped with fifteen minutes to go to nod home a Michael Jacobs corner. It was a header that Sammo himself would have been proud of and with the game there to cling on to we appeared to settle more and more. Osman hit the post from a Johnson cross but Southend had faded and threatened little in another four minutes of added time.

The first win of the season – nice isn’t it!

Leon to be handed debut against Shrimpers

Northampton Town v Southend United
League Two
Saturday, September 11th 2010

It’s the game that everyone wanted tickets for to be able to get a place at Anfield so it sounds like a near capacity crowd is expected tomorrow afternoon for the visit of Southend. Sammo could hand Leon McKenzie a debut but depending on the new signings’ match fitness he could be more likely to be handed a place on the bench.

Still searching for the first league win of the season, the Cobblers need to recover from the dramatic late equaliser by Aldershot last week but come up against a Southend side that are improving in times of uncertainty. The Shrimpers’ fans will be grateful just to have a team this season and under new manager Paul Sturrock are slowly turning the corner.

The visitors, who could recall Barry Corr for the game and also have Peter Gilbert in their ranks after his move from the Cobblers in the summer, have won back to back league games and handed Torquay their first defeat of the season last weekend in a 2-1 win at Roots Hall.

So with a big crowd and a big atmosphere there’s plenty to get the juices flowing tomorrow and hopefully those illusive three points will be in the bag by 4:50pm!

McKenzie signs!

What’s this? A former Posh man coming through the door of Sixfields? Why, yes, it’s Leon McKenzie, signed this morning to hopefully fill a void up front. The former Boro and Norwich man, 32, has put pen to paper on a contract until the end of the season having been released by Charlton Athletic at the end of last season.

He’s been training with the club this week and Sammo has seen enough to convince himself that he is a short term answer to the current hole in the attack.

McKenzie will be forgiven for his former misdemeanours down the road should he fire the Cobblers up the League Two table and it’s a decent shout by the Town boss in terms of goal scoring ability at this level, with a tally of 49 goals in 103 games for the Posh.

It’ll be interesting to see how he fits in at Sixfields and gets an early chance to impress the home fans this Saturday against Southend.

Anfield tickets on sale tomorrow!

Let the scramble commence! Tomorrow morning sees the first batch of Liverpool tickets going on sale to Season ticket holders and Members and Sixfields box office is gearing up for a large amount of queues as Town fans rush to pick up one of the 3,000 initial batch of tickets.

Should the above wish to buy a Southend ticket at the same time, this will entitle them to one extra Liverpool ticket and this should ensure a bumper crowd for Saturday’s game with the Shrimpers – one that we really need to be winning to kick start a season that’s seen us draw four and lose one of the opening five games.

For a full list of FAQ’s regarding the game and ticket policy, see www.ntfc.co.uk

Rumour Mill: Moonwalker on his way...?

No, it's not a Michael Jackson miracle uprising, but the latest goings on in the rumour mill link former Tranmere and Brighton strike Bas Savage with a move to Sixfields. Apparently on trial at Sixfields, Savage has always been a thorn in our side and strutted his stuff in front of the south stand on a couple of occasions with his Moonwalk celebration.

With Sammo hoping to bring in a striker or two in the not to distant future with free agents or loans, Savage could well be one of the targets.

First win so close but Shots steal a point

Aldershot Town 1-1 Northampton Town
League Two
Saturday, September 4th 2010


We came so very close. Close to claiming the first three points of the season and close to kick starting the league campaign. It felt good to be back on the terraces for my first game of the season but it was a tough prospect and a game that I would have taken a point from before the game. But by the end of 95 minutes it still didn’t cushion the blow of the one second that hammered any hopes away from Aldershot’s Ben Harding.

It had been a backs to the walls second half, no doubt about it as Billy McKay’s splendidly taken opener constantly under threat of being cancelled out by the home team who woke up after half time. It was a throw back to the Atkins era where the Cobblers made it to the playoff final on the back of plenty of performances like this one.

As disappointing as what happened at the end was, it’s still worth noting that we got that far in the first place. McKay and the hard working but still not quite anything to write home about Steve Guinan had led the line well and I was very impressed by Nathanial Wedderburn in the middle of the pitch. At the back, Andy Holt and Dean Beckwith were outstanding for the most part and they will be the most crushed by the late, late equaliser.

We were literally out on our feet by the end as the defence collapsed with the rippling net in front of the away support, signalling the end of our hopes of taking home the win. As I said though, Aldershot deserved this point at the least for hammering us in the second half and the “EBB Stadium” won’t be a happy hunting ground for many of our League Two rivals this season.

All in all it was a response that Sammo needed after the midweek JPT disaster at Hartlepool and we need to build on this next weekend in the home game with Southend United at Sixfields. The Cobblers boss has hinted at a couple of new faces by then but understandably wants to keep these targets as quiet as possible.

On this performance, we’re nearly there. There appears to be a fine work ethic and spirit in the camp and there’s signs that we can certainly challenge if consistency becomes a friend to one or two like Michael Jacobs and Paul Rodgers. Rodgers played wide right yesterday and was one of the driving forces in the first half whilst Jacobs did well to set up the goal but faded in the second half when the Cobblers were focusing on keeping that lead.

Unfortunately it wasn’t possible but there’s hope there yet. We’re neither here nor there at the moment but it’s not a disaster – something that we can be very grateful for!

So good to be back...a good couple of pints pre-game in the friendly local that Town fans took over, an old fashioned terrace, good atmosphere and the Cobblers taking the lead only to let it slip with the last kick...nothing really changes does it?!