The Cobblers look to build on the momentum from the 125th Anniversary celebrations as we make the long trip to Carlisle at the weekend….
Match Preview
It’s been a wholly positive week of celebrations for the Cobblers as we passed the 125th anniversary of our club, starting with a much needed 3-2 win over promotion rivals Tranmere Rovers at Sixfields last Saturday. The nostalgia and memories being shared all around Social Media and via the club have been fantastic and attention now turns to the question of whether we can mark this anniversary in the same manner that we marked 100 years – with promotion.
There was a real sense of unity and of the club putting on a show for the 7,300+ in attendance last weekend and if can harness the feelings and emotions pouring out of the stands for the run-in then things could be about to get interesting. (Add Tuesday night results and ramifications)
We can only keep doing our job now and hoping for the right results elsewhere as others play catch up and a victory at Brunton Park would be a sign that we’re ready to tackle the final few weeks of the season in style.
The Opposition
For the second time this season, Carlisle have changed their manager right before playing the Cobblers. The Keith Millen experiment failed to lift them anywhere near where they wanted to be and so the Cumbrians have turned back to a legend of the club to raise them from their slumber once and for all.
Paul Simpson took United from the Conference to League One in successive seasons during his first spell in charge and has since spent time at Preston, Shrewsbury, Stockport, Northwich and the England Under 20s, with whom he won the Under 20s World Cup in 2017. He’s had an immediate impact back at Brunton Park with three wins from three so far and this Saturday has seen ticket prices slashed ahead of the Cobblers’ visit.
This could all mean that we’re in for a big welcome in Cumbria on Saturday with a very tricky hurdle indeed to overcome.
Last time out
The Cobblers hung on to see off Tranmere Rovers 3-2 last weekend as Fraser Horsfall’s double and Mitch Pinnock’s curler earned us all three points. Carlisle, meanwhile, were winning their own six pointer as they beat Oldham 2-1 at Boundary Park thanks to a stoppage time winner.
One to watch
The exciting Omari Patrick re-signed for Carlisle in January having spent a year with Burton Albion. Patrick has already hit six goals in twelve appearances for the club having not found the back of the net in a frustrating time at The Pirelli Stadium.
Team News
Carlisle will be without former Cobblers men Rod McDonald and Brennan Dickenson who are both not due back in action until later this month. Joel Senior and Kelvin Mellor are also still missing and the weekend is also likely to be too soon for Gime Toure to make his comeback.
Josh Eppiah is definitely out for the Cobblers after picking up an injury in training ahead of last weekend with the on-loan striker expected to be missing for at least another couple of weeks. Jack Sowerby made his return last weekend and should be included again barring any knocks from that outing.
Last meeting
Northampton Town 3-0 Carlisle United – 31/10/21
Paul Lewis helped himself to a hat-trick in our meeting earlier this season to ruin Keith Millen’s first game in charge of the Cumbrians.
Line-up Prediction – Powered by FanHub
Match Officials
James Bell is taking charge of this one. The last time he was in charge of the Cobblers was for our 3-0 home win over Ipswich Town in April last year. Paul Graham and Daniel Woodward are running the lines and Paul Newhouse is fourth official.
Score Predictions
Charles: Carlisle 1-2 Cobblers
Danny: Carlisle 2-3 Cobblers
Neil: Carlisle 9-9 Cobblers
Jefe: Carlisle 0-2 Cobblers
Preview Show
We were joined this week by Lee from The Brunton Bugle as we looked ahead to the weekend’s game:
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.
