Match Preview: Shrewsbury Town v Northampton Town

Shrewsbury Town v Northampton Town

The Cobblers go looking for a third win in a week on Saturday as we make the trip to Shrewsbury – home of many happy memories for Town fans of a certain age. Who knows where we would be had that dramatic afternoon at Gay Meadow in 1993 gone the wrong way but, as it went, this will now always be a fixture that brings back all the feels.

The Shrews have moved on from one Meadow to another now, of course, but they’re never too far away from the Cobblers in the league ladder. Our last visit, in 2020, formed part of a test event for fans to come back into stadiums with 1,000 home fans allowed in as the Cobblers won 2-1.

Plenty has changed since but with Shrewsbury still adapting to change this season and the Cobblers building momentum, this could be a big chance of putting some more points on the board against a side that could well be battling with us for the majority of the season.

The Opposition

Shrewsbury finished a comfortable and impressive twelfth in League One last season under the tutelage of Steve Cotterill, who had led them from his hospital bed when he was suffering with Covid. It was a big shock when Cotterill was then shown the door in the summer with a high scale shake up taking place at the club.

In came Micky Moore as Director of Football and former Cobblers midfielder Matt Taylor as Head Coach as the structure moved to a new model. Sacking such a popular manager, though, was always a risk and it’s one that’s not yet reaped any kind of similar rewards to those brought on by Cotterill.

Three wins from their opening five games showed signs of promise but the Shrews have since gone seven games without a win or a goal in all competitions and there are already some quarters of the fan base questioning whether Taylor is the right man for the job. With a bit of discontent abound, the Cobblers would do well to get off to a flying start and really stir the pot on Saturday…

Last Time Out

The Cobblers saw off Reading 3-1 at Sixfields on Tuesday night while Shrewsbury were beaten 3-0 at Oxford United.

One To Watch

Versatile midfielder Carl Winchester turned his loan deal from Sunderland into a permanent one over the summer having been one of the most consistent members of the side last season.

The Northern Irishman started his career at Linfield before moving to Oldham in 2010. After seven years at Boundary Park, he spent time at Cheltenham and Forest Green before signing for Sunderland in 2021. He spent all of last season on loan for the Shrews and enjoyed it enough to sign a permanent deal back in June.

Team News

Shrewsbury will be without defender Joe Anderson through suspension after he was given his marching orders on Tuesday night at Oxford. Everyone else came through the game with no new injury concerns for Matt Taylor to worry about. Ryan Finnigan is a long term absentee and he could be out until the New Year.

The Cobblers are likely to be missing Jon Guthrie after he came off during the win over Reading but Ali Koiki could return to the squad for the first time this season. Louis Appéré and Akin Odimayo also suffered knocks in that game and will be assessed. Jack Sowerby and Will Hondermarck are both due back in training next week but Tyler Magloire and Danny Hylton are still a long way off coming back.

Line-Up Prediction

Match Officials

Carl Brook takes charge of the game on Saturday afternoon. Brook last officiated the Cobblers last February for our 0-0 home draw with AFC Wimbledon. Oliver Bickle and Marvyn Amphlett are running the lines and Tom Reeves is fourth official.

Prediction

If the Cobblers can score early and get the home fans riled up we could be in with a chance of making it nine points in a week. I think we can pull it off. 2-0 Cobblers.

Danny Brothers

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.