Ahead of tomorrow night’s match away at Northampton Town in League One, which will be refereed by Ollie Yates, we have done a Q&A with one of their supporters. Thank you to Danny from It’s All Cobblers To Me for answering our questions.
QUIZ: How much can you remember from the last time The Imps played Northampton Town at Sixfields? Have a go at our quiz here or further down the page!
You can discuss what has been said in this article here, or in the comments at the bottom as well as get involved with our pre-match discussion, and many other topics on our 100% Imps forum!
How long have you supported Northampton Town?
My first match was around the early 90s so it’s at least 30 years!
What are your hopes and expectations for the 2023/24 season?
I think most Cobblers fans will be hoping for survival and if we can continue our form from last season that should be something we can achieve. Injuries threatened to halt our promotion bid last season so we need to keep players fit as much as we can to give ourselves a fighting chance as it’s been made clear that our budget is among the lower end of this division.
What are your views on your manager?
Love him! Jon Brady managed at non-league level in the county for many years before joining the Cobblers as youth team boss and then assistant manager so the club is in his blood despite his Aussie roots! He’s passionate, he gets the club and he truly cares about his players as people. He’s reconnected us to the football club for the first time in many years and I’m desperate for him to continue his fine work this season.
Style of play and tactics – direct/passing/hybrid?
We play a fairly mixed style in a new 3-5-2 formation. We pick our moments to attack and try to come up with different ways of creating chances.
One(s) to watch now and in the future?
Marc Leonard, on loan from Brighton, is the main creator of the side and he’ll sit deep and try to dictate play. He’s got genuine class about him and we’re so happy to have him back. Up top, Sam Hoskins hit 20+ goals last season for the first time in his career and Tyreece Simpson should give most defences a torrid time this season after he joined on loan from Huddersfield.
Random fact about your Club?
Comedian Alan Carr is the son of Cobblers legend Graham Carr and has recently made a sitcom on ITV about his time growing up in Northampton!
Which were your favourite and least favourite matches involving Northampton Town?
My favourites have to be the Wembley win in the 1997 League Two playoff final against Swansea when John Frain scored with pretty much the last kick of the game, a league cup win on penalties at Anfield in 2010 and a 3-0 home win over Bristol Rovers in the League One playoff semi-final, second leg in 1998 after losing the first leg 3-1.
My least favourite was a 3-0 defeat at Elland Road to Leeds on the final day of the season in 2009. We were two places above the relegation zone going into the game and needed a silly combination of results to go against us to send us down. The combination happened and Elland Road sure let us know about it!
Which sides do you think will finish in the top six and which do you think will finish in the bottom four?
I’ve gone for Bolton and Derby to finish in the top two with Charlton, Reading, Lincoln and Portsmouth in the playoffs. Cheltenham, Port Vale, Carlisle and Cambridge were my picks to go down.
What are your thoughts on Lincoln City?
Lincoln are a club we should aspire to in terms of how you’ve established yourselves in League One and progressed over the last few years. You’ve evolved your style and I really like how Mark Kennedy has quietly gone about building you into the side you are now.
If you could steal one Lincoln City player for your own team, who would it be and why?
I really like the look of Danny Mandroiu – we’re missing a player of his type that can change games in the blink of an eye and he’s got so much creativity about him.
What is your prediction for this match?
I’m going for a hard-fought 1-1 draw.
"He's passionate, he gets the club and he truly cares about his players as people." (Q&A):https://t.co/yWsU8Nda3E
Thank you to @DannyBrothers from @CobblersToMe for answering our questions!#ShoeArmy #WeAreImps
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) August 14, 2023
