Good Friday? We really hope so!!

Northampton Town v Rotherham United
League Two
Friday, April 22nd 2011

Judgement weekend is upon us then as the Cobblers face two games that could change the course of our history should they go the wrong way. A first win in seventeen games this evening against a Rotherham side still coming to terms with the recent dip in form that’s taken them away from the playoff places would be the ideal start to the Easter weekend.

It’s vital that we go into Stockport away, a potentially dangerous fixture particularly after a rugby match played at Edgeley Park this afternoon, with some momentum and there can be no more room for error. Despite Barnet losing Martin Allen, Giuliano Grazioli’s first game in charge was at high flying Bury so we can ill afford to be counting chickens that they will be o the slide from here on in.

A couple of months ago this would have been a real toughie against one of the better sides in the league but the backlash from Ronnie Moore’s exit has been lasting and the Millers are in grave danger of ending a season that started so brightly with the goals of Adam Le Fondre flying in once more with nothing to play for.

They have, at least, got a new man in charge in former Brentford boss Andy Scott and his first game in charge ended in a stalemate at home to Hereford on Saturday. That result meant that they were four points off a playoff place going into the Easter weekend and Scott will be desperate for his charges to recreate the form of their only win in their last ten games, a 6-0 victory at Lincoln.

But the Cobblers are beginning to show spirit on and off the pitch and finally it seems that it’s clicked with the Sixfields faithful that we need them more than ever to put everything else aside and get behind the team. A Friday “Claret and White Night” should do the trick before hand and if an atmosphere gets going then there may yet be a chance of that illusive win.

It’ll feel like a cup final win once we do get it and relief would be overwhelming on a final whistle should three points come our way. We must stay positive and remember the stunning fightback at the Don Valley Stadium in the team’s last meeting, the 2-2 draw in November.

Guillem Bauza has declared himself fit for the game after an injury scare at Wycombe but John Johnson and Kevin Thornton are still struggling. There appears little need to change what was a strong side at Adams Park and it’ll certainly be nice for Gary Johnson to name an unchanged line-up.

Rotherham are waiting on the fitness of striker Ian Thomas-Moore and keeper Andy Warrington but Adam Le Fondre is expected to return to the starting line-up after sitting on the bench for the last couple of games.

We need this more than ever, get right behind the team tonight and let’s bring home that win. Team Positive!!