Northampton Town v Blackpool Official Matchday Thread 01.05.21

BFC_53 said:
Another excellent three points on the road, and I didn't feel the result was in any doubt after the first goal. We had 16 shots, with 10 on target which is pretty good for an away side. That said, I thought Northampton were dreadful for a side that needed to win to stay up. Talk about going down with a whimper. Anyway, you can only beat what's in front of you, and we've followed up a wobble - that could easily have turned in to a catastrophe - with two massive away wins. They have some guts and determination this team, there's no doubt about it.

It was good to see Yates get back on the scoresheet to give his confidence a boost at the right time, and the fact we were so comfortable without Kaikai and Ward was good to see. Not to mention Ekpiteta and Anderson returning. Gutted for Robson but hopefully not too serious. We're finally getting some real options on the bench at just the right time.

I actually think the Oxford and Portsmouth results aren't necessarily a bad thing, because imo it will mean there will be no let up from us in these last two games, and we can get some momentum going. When we played Forest in the playoffs in 2010, I think part of their problem was they'd lost momentum precisely because they were comfortably in the playoffs and started pissing around with their team, losing along the way. We will need to play a strong side against Donny, and possibly only get to rest players against Bristol - but they're the worst team in the league and we might be able to rest players and still win to get another run going.

Either way, 74 points with two to play is way beyond my expectations after the first few games. I really hope fans can get to show their appreciation before the season is over.

As an aside, we now have the joint best defensive record in the league alongside Hull, as others have already said. 37 conceded in 44 games, with the third best on 41 conceded. That takes some doing considering how many different centre half combinations we've had this season, and massive credit must go to Ballard, Ekpiteta, Gretarsson, Thorniley, Husband and Turton who have all played there, for being able to slot in effortlessly when required. We do have some very adaptable defenders at the club, who have been absolutely key to our success this season.
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Don’t forget Wales Number 1 Chris ‘Gordon Banks’ Maxwell
 
Hazi said:
Don’t forget Wales Number 1 Chris ‘Gordon Banks’ Maxwell
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Yes - can't believe I forgot to mention him! Totally agree, if you're captain and a goalie, then you can't lead by example much better than getting us to the point where we have the joint fewest goals conceded in the league. He's had an excellent season, and initially I wasn't sure about having a GK as captain.
 
Another clean sheet, 2 more goals for Yates who desperately needed them after a dry patch! I hope he continues to find the net as his goals could be the difference in the play offs! Fantastic strike by Garbutt from that angle! UTMP 🧡
 
BFC_53 said:
Another excellent three points on the road, and I didn't feel the result was in any doubt after the first goal. We had 16 shots, with 10 on target which is pretty good for an away side. That said, I thought Northampton were dreadful for a side that needed to win to stay up. Talk about going down with a whimper. Anyway, you can only beat what's in front of you, and we've followed up a wobble - that could easily have turned in to a catastrophe - with two massive away wins. They have some guts and determination this team, there's no doubt about it.

It was good to see Yates get back on the scoresheet to give his confidence a boost at the right time, and the fact we were so comfortable without Kaikai and Ward was good to see. Not to mention Ekpiteta and Anderson returning. Gutted for Robson but hopefully not too serious. We're finally getting some real options on the bench at just the right time.

I actually think the Oxford and Portsmouth results aren't necessarily a bad thing, because imo it will mean there will be no let up from us in these last two games, and we can get some momentum going. When we played Forest in the playoffs in 2010, I think part of their problem was they'd lost momentum precisely because they were comfortably in the playoffs and started pissing around with their team, losing along the way. We will need to play a strong side against Donny, and possibly only get to rest players against Bristol - but they're the worst team in the league and we might be able to rest players and still win to get another run going.

Either way, 74 points with two to play is way beyond my expectations after the first few games. I really hope fans can get to show their appreciation before the season is over.

As an aside, we now have the joint best defensive record in the league alongside Hull, as others have already said. 37 conceded in 44 games, with the third best on 41 conceded. That takes some doing considering how many different centre half combinations we've had this season, and massive credit must go to Ballard, Ekpiteta, Gretarsson, Thorniley, Husband and Turton who have all played there, for being able to slot in effortlessly when required. We do have some very adaptable defenders at the club, who have been absolutely key to our success this season.
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I’m glad you mentioned Thorniley in there, as you know Critch was trying to get rid in January. A perfect example of not being too hasty getting rid of players before they have had a chance to prove themselves. Since he was, by default, given that chance he hasn’t let anybody including himself down. Well done Jordan.👏👏👏
 
Goforgoal said:
I’m glad you mentioned Thorniley in there, as you know Critch was trying to get rid in January. A perfect example of not being too hasty getting rid of players before they have had a chance to prove themselves. Since he was, by default, given that chance he hasn’t let anybody including himself down. Well done Jordan.👏👏👏
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Totally agree, I think he's played 17 times for us now this season, so imo he's changed from being just cover to becoming an important part of the reason for our good season. I would not be against him staying next season. I also think out of all our defenders he's actually got the best distribution too.
 
In the few seconds he was in the pitch Keshi Anderson reminded us what a good footballer he is. Good to have him back in time for the big games we've got ahead of us.
 
Goforgoal said:
I’m glad you mentioned Thorniley in there, as you know Critch was trying to get rid in January. A perfect example of not being too hasty getting rid of players before they have had a chance to prove themselves. Since he was, by default, given that chance he hasn’t let anybody including himself down. Well done Jordan.👏👏👏
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More his wage taking a big slice of the budget rather than his skills
 
Goforgoal said:
As he signed in January 2020, before the salary cap, his wages don’t count towards said cap.
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The salary cap is irrelevant - there will still be a budget in place and as one of the top earners it made sense to get rid if he was unlikely to play much (which he undoubtedly wouldn’t have but for injuries). It was no doubt thought at the time that the wage would be better used on a CF.
 
L’étranger said:
The salary cap is irrelevant - there will still be a budget in place and as one of the top earners it made sense to get rid if he was unlikely to play much (which he undoubtedly wouldn’t have but for injuries). It was no doubt thought at the time that the wage would be better used on a CF.
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Is that the forward that Critchley said we didn’t need?
 
29DaysLate said:
In the few seconds he was in the pitch Keshi Anderson reminded us what a good footballer he is. Good to have him back in time for the big games we've got ahead of us.
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Glad you mentioned that @29DaysLate as have not read much about Anderson's return and with two games to really get up to speed, he could be a really useful addition if we get through.
 
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