Giving Cobblers the boot? Home to Northampton Tues, 28th Jan 19-45

[TANGODANCER]

Riding high after our euphoric points grab off the top-enders, can we do a repeat order and put the laces through The Cobblers under our well remembered Scouse ex White, Kev Nolan?

Without over-confidence we should handle this if we just get stuck into each and every aspect with the same fighting spirit a-la Darby we showed on Saturday. Selection should be interesting with a new wind of change blowing down Winter Hill, so on with it and don't forget your Anoraks..Come on you Whites....

[Mar]

IIRC, Nolan had a bit of a nervousness about him that wondered whether he'd get a good reception after leaving for Newcastle. I also seem to remember that was quickly dispelled after he got a round of applause upon returning.

Subsequent visits don't seem to have done him any damage reputation wise with our fans, so i'm expecting it to be no different on this visit. Like he said in the press he's got a job to do, and like wise for our current incumbent.

Not sure what to expect from Northampton, in terms of Nolan's effect, but in terms of how we should be looking at this game, it should be looked at as a win and nothing else. In terms of our resurgence, another high spirited performance will do nicely. Felt like we'd turned the corner last match and now's the time to keep that good spirit going.

[Harry Genshaw]

That first 80 minutes at their place was easily the best I've seen us this season. They looked a poor side then but got themselves a decent point and clean sheet at Wycome on Saturday.
Hoping and expecting a narrow win.

[sonicthewhite]

Unchanged side for tonight, barring any injuries.

[BWFC_Insane]

Unchanged side for tonight, barring any injuries.

Dunno what you are up to tonight but game is tomorrow

[GhostoftheBok]

Nolan's solidified them by going to 5-at-the-back and they've proven really difficult to break down since.

3 clean sheets in their last 5. Nobody has scored more than 1 against them since Nolan's been able to get any time on the training pitch.

You'd expect us to win it, but we will have to earn it.

[sonicthewhite]

Unchanged side for tonight, barring any injuries.

Dunno what you are up to tonight but game is tomorrow

Oops Still excited from Sat

[Worthy4England]

Unchanged side for tonight, barring any injuries.

Dunno what you are up to tonight but game is tomorrow

Oops Still excited from Sat

If I don't whinge about tonight's unexpected defeat, I'm expecting a 2-0 win in the next game.

[Bijou Bob]

Scoreless draw against Wycombe on Saturday, so this is looking like a much tougher game than it will have done some weeks ago. We've also got a "Here's what you coulda won" chance to see Terry Taylor in their midfield.

I feel a banana skin coming on. 0-0 my prediction. A pair of binoculars to see who might be in the directors box tonight could be useful and possibly the most interesting moment of a dour, grinding 90 minutes of tedium.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Pretty much the opposite setup to Saturday in that we'll have to be front-foot, probing, patient.

Of course I'd happily accept a first-minute corner going in off their keeper's arse, but if not, we need to keep calm and try different things. Not sure we're even counting the "must-win" games any more and obviously there's bigger things happening backstage, but if you can't win this type, don't expect promotion.

[TANGODANCER]

but if you can't win this type, don't expect promotion.

I think "this type" is far more widespread and unpredictable than previously, so that might be a blessing in disguise as banana skins don't normally suffer "isms". I just hope our recovery hasn't been left at the post, and that isn't being negative, just realistic. Come on then, get amongst them..

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

but if you can't win this type, don't expect promotion.

I think "this type" is far more widespread and unpredictable than previously

By "this type" I mean relegation battlers who we're playing at home. Those are the games that promoted teams tend to win the majority of the time. And we're playing catch-up.

[BWFC_Insane]

I’d say tonight has danger writ large right across it. Saturday was ideal. No expectation. A tough away game. Be more compact, kick it long play from second balls.

It was masterfully executed but in many ways low pressure.

Tonight will be different. We are expected to make the play at home with a crowd who will be wanting a comfortable win. Against a team who have shown motivation and organisation who will no doubt make life hard for us. They are the ones with nothing to lose.

As we’ve seen in recent times breaking these teams down can be hard work.

Hopefully we are prepared for a tight one as I see this as 1-0 sort of a game. Have to be as good at the back as we were Saturday.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Agree with all that but I think it will be easier without Evatt in charge because the crowd will have more patience - if need be; I think a nice early goal is not beyond possibility.

[GhostoftheBok]

Well, hopefully we smash them. Will be nice to sing for Jules under the lights. Love Nolan, but he can feck off for 90s minutes. All about the Whites tonight. Get into them and grab them by the throat for both halves. Give them nothing. Give the crowd something to cheer for from the first whilst and with the first tackle.

Should be an absolute belter.

[nicholaldo]

I’d say tonight has danger writ large right across it. Saturday was ideal. No expectation. A tough away game. Be more compact, kick it long play from second balls.

There's very much the potential for it to be an after the Lord Mayor's show type of night.

[The_Gun]

I didn’t give my predicted lineup, but it would’ve been exactly what Darby, Taylor and Tutte have plumped for.

[sonicthewhite]

Well, pre-match brew in hand and phone on silent. So COYWM!

[Mar]

I suspect Arfield's likely to stick around at the club going off the number of chances he's being afforded on the bench at the minute.

Williams looks likely to be off. You'd've thought there may have been a chance for a B-teamer given how much involvement there has been with our current managerial staff and the players. Still, no B-teamer is coming close to those on the bench as far as I can tell and those that are doing well are on loan.

I'm happy with the lineup.

It's a shame there's a few lads missing. Toal, Santos, Williams, etc. would be nice to see them benefitting from the current refreshment.

[Mar]

What is good to see with that lineup, it doesn't look like there are changes for rotation's sake. Keep the lineup, keep the momentum.