The Opposition View: Northampton Town

Last updated : 20 April 2014 By Jim Bonner

How do you rate your chances of League Two survival?

Better than they were six weeks ago. We're still woefully light 'up top' which hopefully won't be our downfall.
 
Chris Wilder may well have become Portsmouth manager instead of joining the Cobblers. What has he changed to give your team a fighting chance of staying up?

We are still playing 'hoofball' but less frequently compared to under Boothroyd. Hes also got Darren Carter playing to the standard he should be which has made a huge difference. One of my biggest pluses though has been that he gets the players to applaud the away support before, and after, each away game. It's a small touch but means a lot to the fans who have travelled.
 
John Marquis couldn't hit a barn door when he was with Pompey. How has he performed for your team?

In my opinion he still doesn't look like a goalscorer but he never stops trying and puts people under huge pressure. We've won 5 out the 9 games he's started which shows the improvement he brings out of everyone else as his effort rubs off on others.
 
What are the biggest strengths in this Northampton team?

Slim pickings this year but our centre halves have been good recently. Doumbe has looked solid and Diamond has been superb since he joined. Add to this that Captain Marvel (Langmead) is almost fit and we have three quality defenders.

In addition, if Chris Hackett fancies it then he is as good, if not better, than any other winger in this league. Problem is he has only fancied it two or three times this season.
 
And what are the biggest weaknesses in your team?

Scoring goals. We're the lowest scorers in the league and our last two goals have come from goalkeeping howlers.
 
What is there to do for the Pompey fans who arrive early in Northampton?

Depends what you're into. If you like your ales then there are a couple of very good real ale pubs relatively close to the ground. If you're with the kids then there is a cinema and bowling alley on Sixfields. If you love your motor racing then Northamptonshire has Silverstone, Rockingham, Santa Pod and Brafield which covers all gambits of the genre. If you're really at a loose end then we have a shoe museum, unsurprisingly!
 
With Pompey virtually safe and Northampton desperate for points, what kind of match can we expect at Sixfields?

Cagey but hopefully we will play an attacking line up. If you score first then the pressure will intensify and our crowd will get restless and nervy.
 
Predict the outcome of the game.

Northampton 1 Portsmouth 1