Next Up: Home to Northampton Town
With speculation surrounding the future of Paul Tisdale at City this week threatening to overtake events, there was little sign of this as City romped to a magnificent 2-0 win at Port Vale on Tuesday night, and will look to record a second successive home win on Saturday with the visit of another promotion rival in the shape of Northampton. Tisdale will be forced into at least one change, Mark Molesley having capped an otherwise imperious display at Vale Park with a red card, which means he will miss the next three matches. Should Jimmy Keohane have recovered from the knock that kept him out of Tuesday’s match he may come straight back in, alternatively Tisdale may go for John O’Flynn in an attacking change.
Northampton appear to be something of a mirror opposite of City this season. Aidy Boothroyd’s
direct (to put it lightly) style has yielded excellent results at home but a lousy away record which City will look to exploit. City’s rearguard will have to be at their best at set pieces – the majority of Northampton’s goals this season coming from long throws or corners, and containing the man-mountain that is Adebayo Akinfenwa will be key. Should he be fit, Chris Hackett will be hoping to feature against the side where he spent a successful (if brief) loan spell last season.
If City are to register a victory on Saturday they will have to overcome a hoodoo that has seen City fail to record a win against the Cobblers since August 1984 – a repetition of the 5-0 scoreline that day would be most welcome! The reverse this season came during City’s October slump and saw the home side cruise to a 3-0 win. Overall it’s Northampton with the head-to-head advantage, 43 league wins to City’s 26, with 28 draws.
Match Officials have been discussed here.
Visitors from Northampton Town might like to have a look at our unique ground guide.