After another disappointing outing for the Cobblers over the weekend, we really need to get the season back in gear but the first of two home games this week is unlikely to give us an easy ride. AFC Wimbledon are in town for a Valentine’s Night treat and won’t give up anything if their recent upturn is anything to go by.
The Opposition
After a tough start to this season, including a home defeat to the Cobblers back in September, the real Dons have slowly found their feet under Johnnie Jackson.
The former Charlton manager struggled to get his new side firing after joining in the summer but since a 1-0 defeat to Sutton in mid-October, his side have only lost twice in the league, one of which being the reverse fixture against Sutton and the other a narrow loss to league leaders Leyton Orient two weeks ago.
Goals have started to dry up recently, though, with only two goals scored since the turn of the year in League Two. But things are just as tight at the other end with Jackson instilling a mindset in his side that makes them very difficult to break down.
That last sentence will ring alarm bells for Cobblers fans who may well be frustrated if we can’t summon a way to break this kind of visitor down at Sixfields.
Last Time Out
The Cobblers salvaged a late point at bottom club Rochdale at the weekend while Wimbledon drew 0-0 at our fellow promotion hopefuls Carlisle United.
One To Watch
Ethan Chislett is top scorer for the Dons with nine goals from midfield this season including six in nine games over the Christmas period.
Team News
The Cobblers welcome back Ali Koiki after the left back served a one game ban against Rochdale. Harvey Lintott could come in at right back after a decent showing off the bench at the weekend while loanees Tete Yengi and D’Margio Wright-Phillips are also pushing for starts. Lee Burge, Ryan Haynes, Akin Odimayo. Danny Hylton, Kieron Bowie and Aaron McGowan are still out.
Wimbledon handed a debut to on loan winger Diallang Jaiesimi last weekend and he could start again. Johnnie Jackson shuffled his defence around against Carlisle so could stick with the same again after that clean sheet.
Line-Up Prediction
Match Officials
Carl Brook is the official in charge on Tuesday night. Brook last refereed a Cobblers game back in October for the Pizza Cup game with Arsenal’s Under 21s. Carl Fitch-Jackson and Anthony Da Costa are running the lines and James Oldham is fourth official.
Prediction
This is likely to be another difficult home game with the visitors difficult to break down. Jon Brady’s side need to find a way, though, and I have to back them to…just! 1-0 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.
