Rampant Posted March 18 Share Posted March 18 (edited) Saturday 23rd March Northampton vs Derby Sixfields Stadium (KO 1500) Parking: There is apparently parking available at the ground (NN5 5QA) for a fiver or at a place called Duston Mill (NN5 5FP). Opponents Bio: Founded in 1897, Northampton Town are well known by their nickname, 'The Cobblers', a nod to the town's historic shoe-making industry. Previously based adjacent to Northamptonshire County Cricket Club, their move in 1994 now sees them play home matches at the 7,798 capacity Sixfields Stadium. The swinging 60's was quite the decade to be a member of the Shoe Army as Northampton started the 1960/61 season in the fourth tier of the English game before three promotions and three relegations saw them back in Division 4 (ask your parents kids) in time for the 1969/70 campaign. Their one season in the top division was their only appearance at that level in their history so far. Indeed, since their relegation in 1966/67 from what is now the Championship, the Cobblers have played each of the subsequent 56 seasons in either the third or fourth tier. That run could have been broken in 1993/94 when they finished bottom of League 2 but they had a reprieve as Kidderminster Harriers' ground wasn't deemed suitable for the Football League. This season sees Town looking to consolidate a League 1 berth after their promotion from League 2 in 2022/23 and sitting in 14th place and well clear of the drop zone they have comfortably achieved their initial target. A decent run of results could see them finish in the top half as they are one of four sides on 50 points before this weekend. Opponents Gaffer & Dangermen: They are managed by an Australian, Jon Brady, who I know nothing about. Top scorers for Northampton this season are Sam Hoskins (14 goals), Kieron Bowie (eight) and Mitch Pinnock (six, plus seven assists). They also have Huddersfield loanee Tyreece Simpson and another loanee is a certain Tony Springett who played a few times for ourselves last year. Other Titbits & Links to DCFC: Notable names associated with Saturday's opponents include former managers Herbert Chapman (of Huddersfield and Arsenal fame), Tony Barton (European Cup winning manager at Villa), Chris Wilder (when he was good), Ian Atkins (coming good again at Tranmere maybe), Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Aidy Boothroyd and Graham Carr (father of comedy twins Alan and Jimmy). Their most famous ex-player is probably former Liverpool and England full-back, Phil Neal. Derby links include Kevin Wilson (managed them) and those who played for both clubs include John Gregory, Ian Taylor and Marco Gabbiadini. Opponents Form: They've struggled over the past five games, picking up just two points from draws against Charlton at home and Cambridge away. They've lost two on the bounce, both without scoring, with a 1-0 defeat at home to Blackpool followed on Saturday by a 2-0 loss at Wycombe. Their league record at home is respectable overall, reading: W8-D5-L6. Rams History vs Northampton: We tempted fate against Bolton by highlighting the fact that they had never won in the league at Pride Park in 10 attempts. Lets be bold again by stating that; Derby have never lost a competitive fixture against Northampton. It's true. Six FA Cup ties (four original and two replays) and seven League matches is the sum total of the two clubs' historical matches against each other but the Rams have managed eight wins and five draws thus far. In League matches only, we currently stand at W4-D3-L0 with an away record of W2-D1-L0 on their turf. The match earlier this season at Pride Park saw Derby run out comfortable 4-0 victors in a game where we saw the best of Conor Washington and a brace by Max Bird. Likely Rams XI: We can possibly expect a change or two. Or maybe three? Assuming we maintain the back three then Warne has to decide between a recall for Sonny Bradley after illness or sticking with Fozzy. I'd be amazed if he didn't stay with Craig Maldini tbh. There are obvious doubts over those withdrawn against Bolton. Gayle is surely out and Barkhuizen and Ward are possibly struggling too. The gaffer also needs to make a decision on Hourihane as we look better with either Smith or Thompson in the middle (or both ideally for me) alongside Ebou Adams who must surely be our transfer target #1 for the summer. A return to the 18 for Conor Washington (MotM in the reverse fixture) would be welcome. Other Notable Fixtures: None. Certainly not as far as those chasing automatic promotion is concerned. We are the only one of the five involved in that battle for a top two finish to be playing so it's a perfect opportunity to apply pressure on those now playing catch up with us. Seven points with a game in hand has to seem psychologically further away for Bolton than the current four points and equal games played so hopefully we can turn that screw. COYR Edited March 18 by Rampant Hector was the best, Old Spalding Ram, Fla Ram and 38 others 18 1 11 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost of Clough Posted March 18 Share Posted March 18 Wildsmith Nelson Forsyth Cashin Ward Smith Thompson Sibley Adams Mendez-Laing Waghorn Subs: Evans, Bradley, Wilson, Elder, Fornah, Hourihane, Blackett-Taylor Mimester, Caerphilly Ram, Carnero and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caerphilly Ram Posted March 18 Share Posted March 18 8 minutes ago, Ghost of Clough said: Wildsmith Nelson Forsyth Cashin Ward Smith Thompson Sibley Adams Mendez-Laing Waghorn Subs: Evans, Bradley, Wilson, Elder, Fornah, Hourihane, Blackett-Taylor If Washington has trained with the squad this week would you bring him in? Say in place of Fornah? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcfcreece1601 Posted March 18 Share Posted March 18 9 minutes ago, Ghost of Clough said: Wildsmith Nelson Forsyth Cashin Ward Smith Thompson Sibley Adams Mendez-Laing Waghorn Subs: Evans, Bradley, Wilson, Elder, Fornah, Hourihane, Blackett-Taylor Surely Wilson is starting? No incentive to perform otherwise europia 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ambitious Posted March 18 Share Posted March 18 Northampton are pretty poor form: three losses in their last four. The only point was against a dire Cambridge side who are currently on the worst run of form in the league. A win will see us climb to seven points ahead of third, albeit artificially with a game in hand, but the points on the board can induce panic in others. Every win is going to be significant but this could be huge for the mindset of others. taffyram, jono, AlvoRam! and 2 others 3 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Van der MoodHoover Posted March 18 Share Posted March 18 Can't be complacent here. Put our metaphorical boot on their throat. But main thing is not to pick up any more fluffing injuries..... Premier ram, SKRam, AlvoRam! and 1 other 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaltRam Posted March 18 Share Posted March 18 4 minutes ago, Van der MoodHoover said: Can't be complacent here. Put our metaphorical boot on their throat. But main thing is not to pick up any more fluffing injuries..... I chuckled way more than is strictly necessary. Van der MoodHoover 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Van der MoodHoover Posted March 18 Share Posted March 18 12 minutes ago, MaltRam said: I chuckled way more than is strictly necessary. Least we didn't get into "on the stroke of half time".... 😂 MaltRam 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddielewis Posted March 18 Share Posted March 18 Wycombe's 2 goals against them on Saturday are very much in Sibley's locker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angieram Posted March 19 Share Posted March 19 Your matchday thread starters are a joy @Rampant. SKRam, Archied, Nishfan and 10 others 12 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rampant Posted March 19 Author Share Posted March 19 Cheers @angieram. I use it as an excuse to educate myself tbh. RadioactiveWaste, SKRam, IslandExile and 2 others 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RadioactiveWaste Posted March 19 Share Posted March 19 No complacency please, we really don't need to follow up the Bolton win with a flat performance. Now it is the time to really put a marker down. jono, DavesaRam, Premier ram and 3 others 2 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramboy63 Posted March 19 Share Posted March 19 Massive opportunity for us here,with all the sides around us not playing due to international break we could open up a decent gap of points (7) between us and our nearest rival which inevitably puts more pressure on the chasing pack Hopefully we can get through the next few weeks injury free and get Collins back as our target man assuming Gayle is deffo out,no news on this yet SKRam 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
61GT Posted March 19 Share Posted March 19 1 hour ago, angieram said: Your matchday thread starters are a joy @Rampant. + 1 A really informative write-up. Nishfan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eoghan1884 Posted March 19 Share Posted March 19 If Barkhuizen can’t play as well as Gayle I would go with 3-4-3 as we have looked expansive and creative with our 3-4-3 system as of late with the wingers free roaming and picking up the ball where they want. Wildsmith Nelson Fozzy Cashin Wilson Thompson Adams Sibley NML Waghorn CBT Subs: Loach, Ward, Bradley, Elder, Smith, Hourihane, Washington Ward came off feeling tight and Wilson will be as confident as ever after the weekend. Also would love to give CBT another chance as the injuries are racking up we need him to get up to speed. Also believe Thompson and Adams as a duo in midfield give us a lot of legs and balance. Would maybe go smith over Thompson but I do have a soft spot for Tommo. Hopefully Washington can be on the bench and Waghorn has to start as the only fit striker at the moment. AlvoRam! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandExile Posted March 19 Share Posted March 19 I'm chilled.... promotion is now a given... Premier ram and SKRam 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimtastic56 Posted March 19 Share Posted March 19 1 hour ago, IslandExile said: I'm chilled.... promotion is now a given... I will be visiting the World famous Charles Rennie Mackintosh house in Northampton before the game as I don’t expect to ever go there again .🤞 Grimbeard and Hoppo 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foreveram Posted March 19 Share Posted March 19 Northampton expecting a sellout. Their highest gate this season against Charlton 7,710. Record attendance at this ground 7,798 against Man United in the league cup. SKRam, Mimester and Nishfan 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anag Ram Posted March 19 Share Posted March 19 1 minute ago, Foreveram said: Northampton expecting a sellout. Their highest gate this season against Charlton 7,710. Record attendance at this ground 7,798 against Man United in the league cup. 88 plastic fans then 😊 SKRam 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Spalding Ram Posted March 19 Share Posted March 19 View of the away end at Sixfields………..….view from a local hill. 👍😁😁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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