Four points from two games away from home against the other two sides in the top three has galvanised the Cobblers and we come into Tuesday night’s home game with Sutton United with the chance to back those big results up with a win against a side not flying so high.
It could arguably be an ever bigger convincer of Town’s credentials if we can get a win on a Tuesday night against a Sutton side who we’ll be expecting to beat. This needs a big night at Sixfields under the lights!
The Opposition
Sutton’s inaugural season in the Football League ended with them narrowly missing out on the League Two playoffs last season. The U’s fought hard all season under the impressive Matt Gray and just one point separated them from a place in the top seven.
It’s not been all plain sailing so far this time out, though, with United sat in mid-table and struggling to find the consistency that was key to last season’s exploits. Four defeats in a row in late September and early October but Sutton hit back by winning the derby at AFC Wimbledon a couple of weeks ago. A home draw with ten man Walsall at home at the weekend seems like a missed opportunity but the tide has at least been stemmed a little from those few consecutive losses.
Gray, manager since 2019, has masterminded Sutton’s rise to the Football League and was even rumoured to be on the Cobblers’ radar once upon a time.
Last Time Out
The Cobblers won a ding dong of a game with then league leaders Stevenage at the weekend as Shaun McWilliams netted the winner in a 3-2 success. Sutton were held at home by ten man Walsall on the same afternoon.
One To Watch
Former Cobblers midfielder Harry Beautyman has a couple of goals to his name already this season and Town will need to be watchful of his breaks from midfield.
Team News
The Cobblers will check on the fitness of Sam Hoskins, who again missed out at Stevenage, while Sam Sherring and Ali Koiki both came off the pitch with niggles at Broadhall Way. Marc Leonard could return after dropping to the bench on Saturday while Aaron McGowan is pushing for a start but Ben Fox is still suspended.
Sutton will assess skipper Craig Eastmond after he picked up a facial injury on Saturday while striker Omar Bugiel looks likely to reach 150 appearances for the club on Tuesday night.
Line-Up Prediction
Match Officials
Referee Ross Joyce is in his eighth season as an EFL official and his last Cobblers game was the win at Barrow on the last day of the season. Kevin Morris and Joseph Stokes are running the lines and Ryan Whitaker is fourth official.
Prediction
We need to come out and back up those four points against Stevenage and Orient and I’m backing us to do so. 2-0 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.
