The Cobblers have entered the final phase of the season and a big result is needed at Sixfields on Saturday…
Match Preview
A decent point at Port Vale saw the Cobblers hold their own in the top three last weekend but midweek results have put us back down to fourth. A home game with Colchester United should provide a chance to grab that place but but it won’t be easy against a U’s side who are slowly starting to ease their relegation worries having shown Hayden Mullins the door in January.
Town will have to do it without the suspended Shaun McWilliams and a collection of injury worries for this one. The worry is still around converting chances and with Jon Brady still to find the fitness and the right combination of strikers to correct the lack of goals there’s still a few concerns.
But having picked up a win away from home against United earlier in the season and a solid defensive base, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be attacking this one and claiming another big three points.
The Opposition
As the Cobblers were celebrating a lockdown playoff final victory in 2020, Colchester were licking their wounds after going out in the semi-finals to the eventual defeated finalists Exeter. Since then, chairman Robbie Cowling has been frugal in his running of the club, clearing out sixteen players that summer.
A disappointing 20th place finish followed in 2020/21 with Steve Bull being replaced as head coach by Hayden Mullins midway through the season. Mullins wasn’t able to go any better, though, and was shown the door in January with a relegation battle looming once more.
With Wayne Brown back in interim charge, there should be more steel about them as they head to Sixfields hoping to keep hold of the gap between themselves and the bottom two.
Last time out
The Cobblers held Port Vale to a 0-0 draw at Vale Park last weekend while Colchester were drawing 2-2 at home with Carlisle United.
One to watch
Brandan Sarpong-Wiredu is a midfielder who can really take games by the scruff of the neck with his pace and trickery. Originally signed on loan from Charlton in 2019, Sarpong-Wiredu made his move permanent in 2021.
Team News
The Cobblers will definitely be without the suspended Shaun McWilliams after the midfielder picked up his tenth booking of the season last weekend. Aaron McGowan, Jack Sowerby and Josh Eppiah all face a race against time to be fit for the weekend with their various knocks.
Colchester could welcome back John Akinde as the striker has completed his Covid isolation period and they have no fresh injury concerns. Noah Chilvers and Tom Dallison are both back training with the group after recent spells out.
Last meeting
Colchester 0-1 Northampton Town – 14/08/21
The Cobblers came away with three points in our first away league game of this season thanks to a Jon Guthrie goal. A late red card for Fraser Horsfall couldn’t stop us from recording a victory.
Line-up Prediction – Powered by FanHub
Match Officials
Ben Toner is the referee for this one. Toner was also in charge for the 2-1 defeat at Hartlepool earlier this season. Ryan Whitaker and Stephen Brown take the flags and Declan O’Shea is fourth official.
Score Predictions
Charles: Cobblers 1-0 Colchester
Danny: Cobblers 0-0 Colchester
Neil: Cobblers 9-9 Colchester
Jefe: Cobblers 2-1 Colchester
Preview Show
We were joined this week by Colchester fans Si Collinson 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.
