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debut though with Dean Beckwith still missing but there could be late decisions on the likes of John Johnson who was withdrawn before the end of ninety minutes.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…