Game 9 - The Cobblers (A)

Team: Northampton Town

Date: 22/09/18

Where: Sixfields Stadium

What line-up should Harry Kewell opt for? What will be the key areas for the Magpies to get a victory? What do you think the final score will be?

Have your say below, join in with the Pride of Nottingham match discussion.

I will be attending the game. I think it will be a tough one for both parties. Northampton seem to be struggling to score but Kevin Van Veen is their main goal threat so he must be marked well and even stick two men on him if we have to keep him quiet. Hopefully we can turn this dreadful away form around and actually bring home the three points from Sixfields.

My Lineup: Fitz / Turley - Ward - Brisely - Evina / Alessandra - Vaughan- Milsom - Boldewjin / Stead - Hemmings

Fitzsimons has to be more confident. I put Turley into the side because I think well need the hustle and bustle of a strong defender to settle and calm the nerves of The Cobblers attack. If we are 1-0 at half time or 0-0 at half time I would bring Tootle on then to really stride forward in the attack. 

I am going to go for a 3-1 ... yes 3-1 WIN away from home with the scorers being (Alessandra, Hemmings (2))

Northampton are an unknown.

They can play well and I wouldn't have foreseen them to be a side struggling like us. I think the game will be scrappy and possibly another draw, but this would be a step in the right direction for Notts.

Notts have to figure out how to be direct and to control the game via the centre of the park.

I really hope David Vaughan returns because I think he can and will make a difference, I really don't get why people are critical of him but not of Ross Fitzsimons. The defenders need to chase everything and block whatever they can, reduce the shots on target and allow the creative players to do their jobs. I can see Notts scoring maybe one or two, but I see Northampton leading at first.

I just feel that the fire at the back won't be there from the start.

Unfortunately I’m going to have to miss this game. It’s going to be hard simply because the past results will give Northampton some hope and it will be hard for the lads. They need to get there head down and play for each other like last Saturday and be as one. Fitz will need support and help but he needs to find his confidence though. I think 3 points isn’t out of reach for the magpies 

I would hope we can at least come back with a point to carry on improving, but 3 points would be great. Notts need to focus on the defence alot more whilst trying to score goals.

I just want that first win now, I don't care how or anything of the other stuff. Harry Kewell needs that win on Saturday and it's a must. Its the only way I see performances away from home improving.

I wouldn't know what to expect from Northampton, I am a little surprised to see them struggling but as I say I don't know much about the club. It would be a positive thing to get the first win but I don't see this from the away performances.

Notts seems to be a different side away from Meadow Lane.

If Notts can play as they did against Stevenage chances will come, I am more concerned about how many goals the club has shipped and I do wonder how much the defence can improve the actual issue.

Low confidence and poor performances can impact any side.

Notts needs all the players to focus on improvement and just support each other better. I can't see a win I am afraid. Sorry.

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I'm getting more nervous the closer Saturday gets, just imagine how the players would feel - especially the few who are still massively out of form. I really hope Harry Kewell doesn't slot Elliott Hewitt straight back into the team.

There's better players in terms of consistency that should go in to the squad.

Despite my comments I about Rob Milsom in the recent PONcast, I do feel him and David Vaughan are the way forward.

We have to go into the game thinking we can get something, I am sure Jon Stead will be looking to use his experienced head to lift those around him. He's already done better than Richard Duffy did last season as the clubs captain in my eyes.

I think it's all about how much the squad can further take on from the manager Harry Kewell is saying.

The positives are there and the performance of last Saturday against Stevnage was better, I just don't know if the attitudes will be right on the day.

It's got to be better than the Exeter game.

I feel it will be more down to how Harry Kewell approaches the game from the sidelines, it's all fine training well and saying they're prepared but if they cannot adapt in the game then points will only be lost.

We need a good performance from Notts on Saturday, as it will be the away games that will start to cost the club the most when it comes to the crunch time of the season. We can't just give the leads away as we have been doing.

Improvements can be met from other areas and blamed solely on the defence.

My Lineup: Fitz / Tootle - Ward - Turley - Evina / Alessandra - Husin  - Milsom - Boldewjin / Stead - Hemmings

Edited September 20, 20186 yr by Truefootballfan

We need more tracking back from the midfield when out of possession. Everyone we have played so far seem to have a packed box whenever we stage an attack.

@samwatto2008 has collected the thoughts from a Northampton Town fan ahead of Saturday's clash, find out what the opposition fan thinks.

 

I really hope Harry Kewell has a solid plan on how to attack Northampton and defend, the plan needs to be adaptable and he shouldn't wait until we concede to make these changes required.

Go in positively and avoid conceding early, allow the players to grow in confidence.

3-1 is my score prediction for Notts.

Stead, Hemmings and Ward to score.

I can't predict the score but if there's no improvement on the amount of goals generally conceded I will be disappointed.

Notts just have to get on with the game and turn any bad situations into a positive one.

I just want to see Notts get that first win, if they play like they did against Stevenage and cut out the errors at the back it could happen against Stevenage.

2-0 Notts win.

My prediction would 2-1 Notts.

I hope that the club can claim their first win, it would be the best possible result but I worry about leaking goals still.

Notts have to get that first win now whilst the gap isn't that large, the pressure may get worse if they don't pull themselves together now. I know Notts tends to make it harder for themselves but now is the time to rise.

1-0 win.

I am predicting a better defensive show but still worries about dropsee Fitz.

In recent weeks Notts have looked better when they look to keep the ball down and break by attacking into space.

Creatively our best outlet on the field is Enzio Boldewijn, we need to see someone lead from the centre however. Lewis Alessandra has done brilliantly also but he tends to over do his step overs and runs, he needs to be more direct down the wing.

I think Notts could win but I see a 2-2 draw.

Hemmings and Milsom to get the goals.

The focus has to be on playing positive football and enjoying it, it's important that Notts defends better.

Enjoying playing would make this much easier as the players would put in that extra effort because of the buzz they get from performing in front of the fans, the hardest part is to break a losing streak when the form is low and the draw against Stevenage may be enough to bring back the Notts we know.

I hope for 2-1 win. Hemmings and Evina to score.

Not conceeding 3 goals would be a start, maybe it's time to try something other than 4-4-2? You can vary formations when you have and haven't go the ball 3-5-2 to a 5-3-2 or 4-3-3 to a 4-5-1. We haven't really adapted to stop the opposition so far this season. Last weekend was better but I've still got doubts about our defending. 2-2 (and that's being hopeful!)