The Cobblers are live in front of the Sky Sports cameras on Saturday with our trip to Salford the first away game of 2023.
After a morale boosting win over table toppers Leyton Orient, Town will look to make another dent in the top two’s lead over us as we head north.
The Opposition
Despite coming into the league to a wave of fanfare, Salford have little to show for their many riches so far barring an EFL Trophy win in 2020. City have finished in 11th, 8th and 10th in the league since promotion, just missing out on the playoffs on each occasion and not yet living up to their high expectations so far.
Neil Wood was appointed as manager in May to become the latest to attempt to take Salford to the next level with the former Manchester United Under 23s manager tasked with finally grabbing that elusive top seven place.
So far it’s been a mixed bag, though, with The Ammies starting well and establishing themselves amongst the front runners. But mid October through to mid November (after beating the Cobblers at Sixfields) saw them take just four points from seven games. They’ve come back into a bit of form since with wins at Gillingham and Grimsby but were edged out last weekend against fellow promotion hopefuls Bradford.
It’s yet to be known, then, whether Wood is the man for the long term at the Peninsula Stadium but a victory over the Cobblers would haul his side right back into the mix.
Last Time Out
The Cobblers beat league leaders Leyton Orient 1-0 at Sixfields on Monday thanks to Ben Fox’s second half strike. Salford were beaten 3-2 at Bradford on New Year’s Day.
One To Watch
On his day, Conor McAleny is still a player with real quality for this level, shown in his two stunning goals at Bradford last weekend. The Ammies will be hoping that he produces more of the same in the second half of the season as they chase the playoff places.
Team News
Salford won’t be able to call on the services of Callum Hendry, who serves the final game of a three game ban. Matt Lund, Elliot Simoes, Stevie Mallan and Liam Shepherd call all be missing as well. City signed goalkeeper Alex Cairns on loan from Fleetwood Town this week and he could make his debut.
The Cobblers will still be without Ali Koiki and Jack Sowerby may only be well enough for a place on the bench after returning to training this week. Louis Appéré could miss out again while Shaun McWilliams and Tyler Magloire both limped off with hamstring problems during the win over Orient.
Line-Up Prediction
Match Officials
Robert Lewis is the chosen official for this one. Lewis has shown 69 yellow cards and 1 red so far this season and last took charge of the Cobblers in our 3-0 win over Harrogate back in April.
Ollie Williams and Christopher Ward are running the lines and Thomas Kirk is fourth official.
Prediction
Another big game and this time we’re in front of the cameras. Salford beat us at Sixfields in a tight game but I think we can get some form of revenge here. We’ve been playing well in big away games this season for the most part so I’m going for a 2-1 Cobblers win.
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.
