A blank weekend for the Cobblers following the sad passing of Queen Elizabeth II means that Tuesday night’s trip to Wimbledon is up next for Jon Brady’s team.
Brady will be hoping that a couple more days of preparation for this one will help some of his injury hit squad as we head to Plough Lane looking to avenge memories of a dramatic defeat in 2021 when Sam Hoskins missed a late penalty against our then relegation rivals in League One.
The Opposition
The real Dons were relegated last season after a disastrous run of twenty seven games without a win from the start of December through to the end of the season. Twenty games into that run, the popular Mark Robinson was finally shown the door and Mark Bowen came in as caretaker manager to try and steer them away from the drop.
But the damage had already been done and Wimbledon were relegated after a 4-3 final day defeat at home to Accrington Stanley, ending a six year stay in League One.
An overhaul in the summer saw Johnnie Jackson come in as top boss with the former Charlton manager accompanied by the experienced Terry Skiverton in the dugout. That run without a victory was finally ended on the first day of the season as the Dons beat Gillingham 2-0 at Plough Lane.
But it’s not been plain sailing since with a couple of draws followed by a 5-2 hammering at Mansfield that saw summer recruit Chris Gunter sent off just before half-time. (Add more)
That all leaves Wimbledon in the bottom half of the early League Two table and they’ll be desperate to kick start the campaign on Tuesday night.
Last Time Out
The Cobblers saw off Barrow 3-1 at Sixfields while Wimbledon were edged out 1-0 at Stockport County thanks to Fraser Horsfall’s header.
One To Watch
Signed on loan from Brentford in the summer, striker Nathan Young-Combes has already shown himself to be a top addition at this level. Young-Combes has hit three goals for the Dons so far as well as endearing himself to the fans quickly.
Team News
Wimbledon will be without goalkeeper Nathan Broome who will be sidelined for a number of weeks but they have drafted in Will Jaaskelainen on a short term deal to provide some cover. Left-back Jack Currie injured his shoulder in the defeat to Stockport but should be back involved against the Cobblers but Alex Woodyard is not quite ready yet. Paris Maghoma is available for selection again after serving his one-match ban following his sending off during the 1-0 defeat at home to Barrow recently.
Jon Brady gave little away when asked this week about players coming back from injury last week with Aaron McGowan, Josh Eppiah, Danny Hylton and Akin Odimayo all doubtful again. Ben Fox will definitely not be involved after he was ruled out for six months with a knee injury.
Line-Up Prediction
Match Officials
It’s time to welcome back one of our old favourites…hang on to you hats as Mr Charles Breakspear is in charge on Tuesday night. Charlie B was last in the middle of a Cobblers game for our 1-1 draw with Walsall in the Pizza Cup last season. Garry Maskell and Kevin Howick are running the lines and Aji Ajibola is fourth official/
Prediction
I can see there being goals in this one and Wimbledon are a difficult prospect at Plough Lane. But I think the Cobblers can come through with all three points here and I’m going for a ding-dong! 3-2 Cobblers
A Cobblers fan all his life, Danny is the most down to earth football supporter from Northampton.
While at university in Southampton, Danny kept up to date with all things NTFC from afar, sharing his thoughts on his ‘A Load Of Cobblers’ online blog.
