Next Up: Away to Northampton Town

After a hard-earned point at Dagenham, City embark on a second successive away trip to Sixfields to take on Northampton. The right back slot continues to be Paul Tisdale’s biggest headache, with Pat Baldwin deployed in the position last time. Jamie Reid is available again after his stint with Northern Ireland Under 21s, and would be expected to take up a place on the bench, presumably at the expense of 17 year old Matt Jay.

Given City’s travails in trying to find an effective right back this season, it’s somewhat ironic that lining up against City on Saturday will be the player who spent most of last season marauding down the right flank in City’s colours. Kevin

Amankwaah, who missed the run-in with an injury picked up in the first minute of the defeat to Dagenham, was one of the more surprising victims of the budget-related cull during the summer, and it is therefore no surprise that he attracted attention from a number of clubs at this level before signing for the Cobblers. However, it’s fair to say that all has not been well so far this season for Aidy Boothroyd’s side as they look to build on reaching the playoffs last season. With a solitary victory against Newport a month ago to show for so far, Northampton are currently in 21st place in the table. Accusations have been levelled at Boothroyd for not having effectively replaced the battering ram striker Ade Akinfenwa, who returned to Gillingham in the summer, although giant striker Clive Platt opened his account for the season in the 1-1 draw against Scunthorpe. Another familiar face in the Cobblers’ line-up will be Chris Hackett, the former Millwall winger had a short but effective loan spell with City during the 11/12 relegation season.

Last season it was honours even between the sides, each recording a 3-0 home victory. Akinfenwa, Kelvin Langmead and Alex Nicholls secured the points at Sixfields in October, while an own goal from Lee Nicholls, followed by second half strikes for Cureton and Gosling, ensured revenge was sweet in the return. City travel more in hope than expectation though, as it has been a long time since City tasted victory in Northampton, October 1973 in fact when City came away from the County Ground with a 2-1 win. More recently a 2-1 defeat on the last day of the 1994/95 season ensured City finished bottom of the table, saved only by Macclesfield’s ground not being up to scratch. Overall Northampton hold a strong lead in the head-to-head in league matches, with 43 wins to City’s 27 (28 draws).

Match Officials: http://www.exeweb.com/2013/09/10/match-officials-away-to-northampton-town/

Ticket Details: http://www.exeweb.com/2013/08/22/ticket-details-for-dagenham-redbridge-and-northampton-town-away/

Ground Guide: http://www.exeweb.com/2012/07/20/the-things-you-need-to-know-sixfields/