Let's talk about the Northampton town game

[selby]

  A game next Saturday that could cement our stay in Division 1 for another twelve months which would be for me everything I hoped for before a ball was kicked this season, and gives us a chance to have clarity in just what we have to do to improve and be contenders at this level.
  Northampton's record at home includes ten defeats the worst record in the division also winning six and drawing four which goes a long way to them being relegated but at the same time should want them to do well against us to give their supporters hope of better things to come next season.
  After our what I thought was an all action display against Reading which followed the low of the Easter fixtures I am hoping for more of the same and few changes to the starting line up who set a standard of effort they should want to replicate every game with every player seemingly giving their best and very energetic a complete difference to the easter games.
  Where would we be without the goals of Bailey god knows, he just keeps giving and is drawing the attention of other clubs along with Molyneux and if they finish the season strongly might be very hard to retain when agents get to work for their cut. something we need to be aware of.
  Conversely we very much need to look very seriously at our striker problem although I thought using Lee in a false 9 and giving other players freedom to get inside in the space worked but we lack a finisher.
   Northampton had no fixture at the weekend but play Luton away on Wednesday fresh from Luton's win v Stockport in the EFL cup  then us three days later so another questionable advantage to us.
  With on paper three hard games to finish our season and a game against Lincoln that could well be the game Lincoln will be the confirmation of their league 1 championship season something we need to try and upset on the day.
  So a game at Northampton that again only on paper gives us our best chance to sleep easy until next August and will let us test just what we have against three stiffer tests to end the season.
  What do you think? at least we are a little happier than a few days ago, Lots to discuss and mull over, still something to look forward to and achieve what was the realistic end to the season which with the cup runs would be an end to a good season if we establish ourselves in league one, please have your say.
 

[Reg of the Rovers]

Clifton in makes a big difference to our energy and press, he'd play again for me. I know Grant won't do this but I'd change the shape and put Hanlan and Lee up top together. Grehan did well so I'd trust him to be decent cover again. I'd rest Moly personally, he looked out on his feet on Saturday, plus the drama after the 1v1 miss might be worth taking him out of the firing line - plus I think Haks is offering more creatively at the moment.

I'm expecting this to be a tough one, there's a real chance this goes the way of Exeter.

[Prez]

It’s highly likely that their relegation will be confirmed mid week.

Would be a huge disappointment if we didn’t get anything there, they have been horrendous these last 5 months.

[monkeytennis]

After Saturday I’m feeling a bit more confident. I think he has to play the same team as that, Clifton, Gotts and Lee were outstanding for me and actually created things  exciting and energetic football!  I’d leave Lee on for the 90 if fit and bench Hanlan.

[Draytonian III]

The first name on the team sheet on Saturday has to be Molyneux, sometimes with the incident that happened on Saturday you have to think about man management in the long term not just the following match.
 You can bet that this week in training the players will be taking the pi$$ out of him when he scores, just everyone does at work when something goes wrong, footballers, warehouse lads, trades etc, we’ve all done it . Grant and coaching staff will have a couple of digs as well and the likes of Bailey and Sterry will have done so quicker than others.

[ncRover]

Clifton in makes a big difference to our energy and press, he'd play again for me. I know Grant won't do this but I'd change the shape and put Hanlan and Lee up top together. Grehan did well so I'd trust him to be decent cover again. I'd rest Moly personally, he looked out on his feet on Saturday, plus the drama after the 1v1 miss might be worth taking him out of the firing line - plus I think Haks is offering more creatively at the moment.

I'm expecting this to be a tough one, there's a real chance this goes the way of Exeter.

Northampton are the worst side in the division. Wouldn’t compare them to Exeter.

We’ve had a few drubbings ourselves this season so we could really do with putting these to the sword.

I don’t think their squad would even finish top half in League Two.

[Alan Southstand]

I think we’re pretty much done, as far as safety is concerned, but that’s not to say let’s get all complacent about it. For Saturday, I think even a draw would be ok, but a win would really rubber stamp things.

I’d go with the same team, except for putting Byrne back in. Grehan did nothing wrong on Saturday and he’d have a bench place, for me.

No Billy again, so it’s wise to have Hanlan on the bench for the last 15-20 minutes, if required.

[Bessie Red]

Keep the same starting 11 from the Reading game for me. If Byrne is fit again put him on the bench instead of McGrath.
As far as tactics go, we need to go at them with everything we've got from the first whistle.

[Thorney]

They have been in freefall.

Lets go out to thump them.

[steve@dcfd]

Taking chances is our biggest problem even when we are on top. Hanlan would stay on the bench is ratios of goals to chances he's had when he can control the ball must be poor. But the rest are no better. We must try and get another three points

[eastender]

They have been in freefall.

Lets go out to thump them.

So had Exeter , no win in 15 until we gave them our usual help in hand.

[les@donr]

We need a good win for a feei good feeling for the end of season, 4-0 Rovers.

[Chris Black come back]

They are terrible. A single win in their last 20 league games. Currently on a 10 game league run of 9 defeats and a draw. A single clean sheet in their last 17 league games and last league clean sheet at home was 1 January.

[coventryrover]

They are terrible. A single win in their last 20 league games. Currently on a 10 game league run of 9 defeats and a draw. A single clean sheet in their last 17 league games and last league clean sheet at home was 1 January.

but the6 are playing donny  rovers

[LincsRover]

They are terrible. A single win in their last 20 league games. Currently on a 10 game league run of 9 defeats and a draw. A single clean sheet in their last 17 league games and last league clean sheet at home was 1 January.

If anyone can end their terrible run it’s rovers!!

[Danmckay456]

I don’t think we have enough goals in this team to whip them I think it might be closer than most people think

[Lesonthewest]

Wouldn't care even if they have lost their last 20 on the trot we can't set up as defensively open as we did v Exeter, even before the injuries we looked very vulnerable. We need to be organised & strong.

[IDM]

Never mind how we played at Exeter, what if we play like the reading game perhaps.??

[donnyguy]

Tough game for Northampton tomorrow away at Luton.

[selby]

  I think Luton will be a problem for most sides now including next season, Their whole club must think they have bottomed out after their win against Stockport.
  And tomorrow Northampton will be landing in the middle of their celebrations.

[Rupee92ONLY]

Luton and Huddersfield (if both are in this league next season) will fare much better. I think we should aim for quick, exciting football next season rather than any real league finish target.

[les@donr]

Northampton lose, they’re down. Same for Rotherham tomorrow. We could be playing a very demoralized Northampton come Saturday.

[Lesonthewest]

Never mind how we played at Exeter, what if we play like the reading game perhaps.??

I was referring to our last away game, not home game, just to confirm.

[RyRovers]

Behind the goal sold out now and a section on the side has been opened with 112 seats left currently.

[EpsTheMightyReds]

What are we hoping for tonight. A Northampton defeat meaning they’re already relegated for Saturday or a Northampton win meaning they have everything still to play for.

[Stewmaiden79]

I would have thought a Northampton defeat tonight suits us best. Playing against a team who is deflated because they’re already relegated,  must be an easier proposition than playing a team fighting for their lives.

[les@donr]

They have lost their last five games, can’t see them turning things around.

[les@donr]

Many years ago Colin Calderwood was at OBV with his team, at one point he got so frustrated that he kicked in the Away dugout that he busted the perplex, he got a lot of abuse from Rovers because of it.

[Chris Black come back]

Northampton 1 up.

[donnyguy]

Now 1-1