Oppositions View - Northampton Town

Last updated : 17 March 2003 By

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN SUPPORTING YOUR CLUB?
RD:
14 years
MK: As long as I can remember, I've been going to matches since 1987.

Derek Asamoah
WHO IS YOUR ALL TIME FAVOURITE PLAYERS FOR YOUR TEAM?
RD:
Neil Grayson - not the most talented, but a 110% and a real character
Derek Asamoah - unpredictable and fast forward
Ian Sampson - nearly 10 years at club, old fashioned centre half
MK: Eddie McGoldrick from the late 80's, Tony Adcock from late 80's early 90's. More recently Neil Grayson, Jamie Forrester and Keith Welch. Current is Paul Harsley.

WHICH CHANT IS MOST LIKELY TO BE STARTED BY YOUR FANS?
RD:
Specifically for the game something nasty about Kevin Nicholson!
In general we will sing Cheer Up Barry Fry or The fields are green, the skies are blue, the River Nene goes winding through
MK: It's not Fenwick Out anymore, haha. The fans came up with a song called Fields of Green. "The fields are green, the sky is blue, the river Nene goes winding through, the market square with its cobbler stones, shakes the old dears to their bones, a finer town you'll never see, a finer town there'll never be, big city lights don't bother me, 'cos Northampton Town I'm proud to be" Sorry it's a bit long, but it's quite catchy!

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM YOU SIDE HAS AT THE MOMENT?
RD:
The club was on the edge of severe financial problems, a new board rescued us - but uncertainty in the early days of the regime caused a run of bad form, Kevan Broadhurst was axed and then we had the brief spell of one Terry Fenwick - oh dear
MK: A combination of not scoring and being punished for every single mistake seems to be the biggest problem. Lady luck hasn't smiled on us for a while. Refs missing goals doesn't help either, at Cheltenham on Saturday, defender Ian Sampson smashed the ball into the roof of the net and it came back out again. Amazing the Ref and linesman managed to miss it. All 11 cobblers players saw it, the Cheltenham players stopped so they must have seen it, every away

Burgess - Out
fans saw it and many home fans saw it. Incredible!!!

HOW MANY OF YOUR FANS DO YOU EXPECT TO BE AT THE GAME?
RD:
As it is an evening we might have around 4,000 if we beat Cheltenham expect more fans.
MK: Probably around 4500 home fans + whatever County bring. I would expect around 600 or so from Notts on a Tuesday evening.

DO YOU HAVE ANY INJURIES TO KEY PLAYERS THAT COULD MEAN THEY MISS THE GAME?
RD:
Experienced defender Daryl Burgess will miss the game, young left back Chris Carruthers is on England under 20 duty in Switzerland.
MK: Richard Hope and Daryl Burgess are both out at the moment, both defenders picking up knocks recently. Paul McGregor, our midfielder/makeshift forward is missing too.

WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE GAME EARLIER THIS SEASON BETWEEN THE SIDES?
RD:
A draw was looking the fair result before rookie Ref Ilderton failed to blow for a blatant foul (well I am bound to say that!) on our defender by Heffernan, who fair play to the lad finished the ball sweetly.
MK: Unfortunately I missed the trip to Meadow Lane earlier this season, but from what I heard we played ok and should have secured a point, only to lose to a late goal.

SO FAR HAS YOUR TEAM LIVED UP TO WHAT YOU EXPECTED BEFORE THE SEASON STARTED? IF NOT, WHAT NEEDS CHANGING?
RD:
After last years relegation escape lower mid table was a valid hope - the mistake was appointing Fenwick - and that has been changed as he was axed after 7 games. Probably come too late!
MK: We all expected a struggle this season, but after starting so well mid table looked more realistic. With botched take-overs, dodgy managers (we had three in 7 weeks) and a useless forward, our plummet to the bottom is most unwelcome. All Cobblers fans are optimists and will never give up though.

SCORE PREDICTION?
RD:
Cobblers 2 (Asamoah, Trollope) County 1 (Stallard)
MK: Haha I never tell anyone my prediction because it's bad luck. We don't need any bad luck at the moment. We are desperate for three points and we need them more than you. Please be kind to us County!